Carr Fire 

2018

BURNED AREA

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

Redding Field Office BLM ----

Whiskeytown NRA NPS 

... 

Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Burned Area Emergency Response Plan

2018 CARR BAER 

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ..................................................................................0

Administrative information........................................................................1

Executive Summary................................................................................3

Assessments........................................................................................10

Summary of Treatments..........................................................................95 

Specifications......................................................................................100

Appendix I – Delegation of Authority........................................................308

Appendix II – Environmental Compliance.................................................317

Appendix III – Photos ...........................................................................328

Appendix IV – Maps..............................................................................360
BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

2018 CARR BAER 

FIRE LOCATION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION 

Fire Name Carr BAER

Fire Number CA-WNP-001228

Agency Unit

Redding Field Office, 

Whiskeytown NRA,

Shasta Trinity NF. 

Region

BLM, California

NPS, Pacific West

USFS, #5

State California

County Shasta and Trinity

Ignition Date/Manner 7/23/18

Acres NPS 130,000

Date Contained Unknown

Date Controlled Unknown

NATURE OF PLAN 

I. Type of Plan (check one box below)

√ Short-term Emergency Stabilization Plan

Long-term Rehabilitation

Both Long and Short-term Rehabilitation 

II. Type of Action (Check One box below)

√ Initial Submission

Updating Or Revising The Initial Submission

Supplying Information For Accomplishment To Date On Work 

Underway

Final Report (To Comply With The Closure Of The EFR Account)

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EMERGENCY STABILIZATION OBJECTIVES 

• Determine need for and to prescribe and implement emergency treatments

• Minimize Threats to Human Life, Safety, and Property

• Identify Threats to Critical Cultural & Natural Resources

• Promptly Stabilize and Prevent Unacceptable Degradation to Resources

TEAM ORGANIZATION 

BAER TEAM MEMBERS 

POSITION TEAM MEMBER / AFFILIATION

Team Leader Chris Holbeck, NPS

Team Advisor, NIFC Rich Schwab NPS, Doug Havlina BLM

Vegetation Kerry Johnston BLM, Mike Dolan AD, 

Hydrologist Rich Pyzik USFS, Allison Reddington USFS, Sydney 

Post BLM, 

Geologist Sam Flanagan, BLM

Soil Science Bill Sims AD

Cultural Resources

Carla Burnside USFWS, Devin Snyder BLM, Joe 

Svinerich NPS, Ashley Phillips NPS, Mike Peterson 

NPS 

GIS Richard Easterbrook, FWS

Lorri Peltz-Lewis USFS

Forestry Eric Rhodenbaugh BIA, Zak Stewart BLM

Recreation Jack Oelfke, NPS

AML Jeremy Stolzfus, NPS

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CARR FIRE

BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office

National Park Service, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

USDA Forest Service, Shasta-Trinity National Forest

August 2018

Purpose and Policy

This Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Plan is for lands in the Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) Redding Field Office, National Park Service (NPS) Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (NRA), 

and United States Forest Service (USFS) Shasta-Trinity National Forest affected by the Carr Fire. 

Following completion of this plan, the BLM will create an implementation plan and request funding 

through an Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) Plan. The US Forest Service will request

funding through a 2500-8 form. The National Park Service will request funding through this BAER 

assessment. This plan complies with federal requirements and policies which include the Department of 

Interior Departmental Manual (620 DM 7), the USFS Forest Service Manual (FSM 2500), and agency 

specific handbooks and orders.

Fire History and Behavior 

The Carr Fire began July 23, 2018 at approximately 1:15 pm from a suspected vehicle mechanical failure. 

The fire origin was within Whiskeytown NRA, and spread to lands administered by the BLM and USFS in 

subsequent days. Extreme fire behavior occurred on July 28 and 29, when the fire burned to the east into 

Redding, California, driven by strong winds and plume dominated fire behavior. The Carr Fire destroyed 

1,079 residences, 22 commercial structures, and 503 outbuildings, and damaged an additional 277 

structures. The fire was managed under Unified Command between CAL FIRE, the Shasta-Trinity 

National Forest, and Whiskeytown NRA. At the time of plan development, the fire had covered 229,651 

acres (63,000 acres BLM, 39,000 acres NPS, 30,000 acres USFS, 400 acres State, and 93,726 acres 

private). Containment is estimated to occur on or about 9/1/18.

The Carr Fire burned across wide ecological gradients, and through previous fire scars from the 2004 

French Fire, 2008 Motion Fire, and 2008 Whiskeytown Complex. These previously burned footprints 

were dominated by shrub communities which largely experienced stand replacement in the Carr Fire. 

Plant communities affected by the fire include chaparral fields (e.g., manzanita, ceanothus, chamise); 

gray pine/knobcone pine/oak forests; mixed conifer forests; and upper montane forests at the highest 

elevations. The fire area was dominated by low and moderate soil burn severity and vegetation mortality. 

Fire behavior moderated when previous fuels treatments were intersected, particularly in mixed conifer 

forest communities. Specialist reports in this assessment describe observed and expected fire effects. 

NPS/BLM Burned Area Emergency Response Team Call Out

Discussions for a BAER team deployment began on July 28, 2018, as Interior BAER coordinators began 

dialogue with leadership from Whiskeytown NRA and the Redding Field Office. Chris Holbeck of the NPS 

was selected as team leader, and deployed his team August 12. The Secretaries of Interior and 

Agriculture toured the fire area on Monday, August 12 and met with DOI employees affected by the Carr 

Fire. BAER in-briefings with BLM, NPS, and USFS leadership occurred on August 13 and 14. Following 

the in-briefings, values at risk and issues of concern were identified with staff from these agencies. 

Preliminary BAER values at risk related to watershed integrity, abandoned mines, historic structures, 

cultural resource sites, roads, trails, culverts, bridges, campgrounds, hazard trees, and exotic plants. 

Throughout the assignment, the BAER Team also interfaced with parallel efforts such as CalFire’s 

Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) assessment and an NPS All Hazard Incident 

Management Team. 

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Mid-assignment briefings were held with BLM and NPS staff on August 24, 2018. The close-out was 

conducted on August 28, 2018.

Values at Risk

Specific critical values at risk initially identified by BLM staff included:

● Off Highway Vehicle Trails (signs, bridges, hazard trees)

● Foot Trails (signs, bridges, hazard trees)

● Vegetation, Exotic Plants

● Abandoned Mine Lands (damage, safety)

● Washington Mine

● OHV Access (unwanted)

● Archaeological Sites

● Roads/Culverts/Bridges

● Cultural Resource Site Looting

● Historic Structures

● Pioneer Baby Grave

● Grass Valley Sediment Basin

● Swasey Sediment Basin

● Shooting Range

● Amphitheater

● Deadwood Creek

● Wilderness 

● Rock Creek Culvert Railroad

● French Fry Trails

● Iron Mountain Sedimentation Basins, Shooting Basins

Specific critical values at risk initially identified by NPS staff included:

● Brandy Creek

● Boulder Creek

● Tower House District

● Oak Bottom Campground

● Foot Trails

● Campsites

● NEED Camp

● Potable Water

● Vegetation, Exotic Plants

● Whiskey Creek Culvert

● Hazard Trees

● Cultural Resource Site Looting

● Abandoned Mine Lands

● Historic Structures

● Archaeological Sites

● Roads, culverts, bridges

● Mineral Springs and Sediment

● Landslides

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Specific critical values at risk initially identified by USFS staff included:

● Vegetation, Exotic Plants

● Roads

● Camp Sites

● Trails

● Archaeological Sites

These values, and others, are discussed in the assessment sections of this plan. Values at Risk are 

further identified and refined as the BAER team works its way through the assessment process and 

business model.

BAER Business Model

BAER teams conduct rapid assessments in order to first identify values at risk and then prescribe 

emergency stabilization measures. BAER teams follow a four step business model, consisting of:

● Issues

● Observations

● Findings (Assessments)

● Recommendations (Specifications)

. 

Primary Recommendations

Full descriptions of treatment recommendations and specifications are found in this plan. Following are 

specification topics identified by agencies during issue identification. 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, Redding Field Office

Emergency Stabilization Funding Subactivity

● Archaeological Site Protection Patrols

● Archaeological Site Condition Assessments

● Historic Property Stabilization Assessments

● Previously Assessed Historic Property Stabilizations

● Cultural Resource Compliance

● Kett Ethnographic Site Stabilization

● Charley Brownstein Grave Stabilization

● Abandoned Mine Lands Mine Safety Mitigation

● Trail, Bridges, Culverts Opening

● Proactive Hazard Tree Mitigation

● Trail Sign Installation and Replacement

● Repair Minor Facilities – Shooting Range

● Invasive Species – Early Detection, Rapid Response

● Catchment Basin Cleanout

● Conduct Storm Patrol

● Culvert Cleanout – Pre-storm

● Hazard/Warning Signs

Burn Area Rehabilitation Funding Subactivity

● Out-year Increased Trail Maintenance

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● Continued Hazard Tree Abatement

● Repair Minor Facilities - Amphitheater

● Invasive Species – Early Detection, Rapid Response

● Abandoned Mine Lands Mine Safety Mitigation

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Whiskeytown NRA

Emergency Stabilization Funding Subactivity

● Historic Blacksmith Shop Stabilization

● Historic El Dorado Mine Stabilization

● Historic Redwood Tank Dismantle and Storage

● Historic Stonehouse Stabilization

● Archaeological Site Protection Patrols

● Archaeological Site Condition Assessments

● Historic Crystal Creek Ditch Stabilization

● Previously Assessed Historic Property Stabilizations

● Cultural Resource Compliance

● Abandoned Mine Lands Mine Safety Mitigation

● Trail bridges, beaches, sinkholes, opening, culverts

● Hazard Tree – Proactive Mitigation

● Hazard Tree - Surveillance

● Sign Replacement, Repair

● Repair, replace minor facilities (kiosks, toilets)

● Culvert cleanout (pre-storm)

● Conduct storm patrol

● Hazard/Warning Signs

● Structure Protection

● Potable Water Source Protection

● Engineering Evaluation – Boulder Creek

● Invasive Species Early Detection, Rapid Response

Burned Area Rehabilitation Funding Subactivity

● Repair, replace minor facilities (picnic tables, interpretive panels)

● Invasive Species Early Detection, Rapid Response

● Out-year Increased Trail Maintenance

● Continued Hazard Tree Abatement

● Abandoned Mine Lands Mine Safety Mitigation

US FOREST SERVICE, Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Subactivity

● Invasive Species – Early Detection, Rapid Response

● Conduct Storm Patrols

● Culvert Cleanout – Pre-storm

● Hazard/Warning Signs

Recommendations for Heritage Site stabilizations will be recommended to the USFS after site 

assessments have been completed by DOI BAER Team members.

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Burned Area Rehabilitation Subactivity

● Invasive Species – Early Detection, Rapid Response

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BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION PLAN

CARR FIRE

WATERSHED RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVES

• Assess overall soil and watershed changes caused by the fire on federal lands managed by

the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Forest Service,

particularly those that pose substantial threats to human life and property, and critical

natural and cultural resources. This includes evaluating changes to soil conditions,

hydrologic function, and watershed response to precipitation events

• Identify potential flood and erosion source areas and sediment deposition areas

• Identify potential threats to life, property, and critical natural and cultural resources in

relation to flooding, debris flows, erosion, and sediment deposition

• Develop treatment recommendations, if necessary

• Identify future monitoring needs, if necessary

ISSUES

• Risks to human life and property from floods and debris flows within and downstream of

the Carr Fire

• Risks to domestic and hydropower water supply due to post-fire watershed conditions

• Risks to critical natural and cultural resources including historic and prehistoric cultural

resources

OBSERVATIONS

Background 

The purpose of a burned area assessment is to determine potential values at risk resulting from 

post-fire emergency watershed conditions. Identification of values at risk occurs through 

consultation with individuals, state and federal agencies, and through field investigation. Not all 

values initially identified are determined to be at risk. If emergency watershed conditions are 

found, and values at risk are identified and confirmed, then the magnitude and scope of the 

emergency is mapped and described, values at risk and resources to be protected are analyzed, 

and treatment prescriptions are developed to protect values at risk. The most significant factor 

leading to emergency watershed conditions is loss of ground cover, which leads to erosion and 

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changes in hillslope hydrologic function in the form of decreased infiltration and increased 

runoff. Such conditions lead to increased flooding, sedimentation and deterioration of soil 

condition. Values at risk are human life, property, and critical natural and cultural resources 

located within or downstream of the fire that may be subject to damage from flooding, ash, mud 

and debris deposition, and hillslope erosion. The CalFire Watershed Emergency Response Team 

(WERT) report discusses issues on state, county and private lands. The WERT report should be 

referred to for hazards to state, county and local infrastructure and facilities as well as private 

lands within the burned area. 

Physiography/Geology/Climate 

Climate

Rainfall in the watershed is seasonal and varies considerably with elevation. Summers are hot 

and dry and winters are cool with moderate to heavy rainfall, depending on elevation. Average 

annual precipitation ranges from 39 inches near Redding, approximately 63 inches at 

Whiskeytown Lake and over 85 inches in the highest elevations of the burned area. Roughly 

80% of the total precipitation falls in the six month period between November and April. To 

emphasize the variation in rainfall precipitation depths for the area, a good example is provided 

by the January, 1997 storm. In Redding, 9-day precipitation was 5.3 inches. Approximately 10 

miles to the north at Shasta Dam, the 9-day total was 20 inches. Furthermore, several personnel 

contacted during the assessment process indicated the presence of an atmospheric “convergence 

zone” which manifests as a relatively stationary band of heavy showers that can occur over the 

southern portion of the burned area. 

Storms of several days in duration and moderate to high intensity come in from the Gulf of 

Alaska. Summer thunderstorms come from the south and occur 1 or 2 days per month in the 

summertime. Snowfalls at Whiskeytown Lake have been measured during the months of 

November through March; annual average total snowfall at Whiskeytown Lake is 4.1 inches. 

Although no specific data exist on snowfalls in the higher elevations of the upper watershed, 

snowfalls are routine during the winter months and snow often remains on the uppermost peaks 

well into June. 

A typical winter storm event in the area of French Gulch consists of a 2 to 3 day storm event 

quickly followed by a 1 to 2 day storm event. Under such conditions soils become saturated 

during the first event and during the second event infiltration quickly exceeds runoff resulting in 

flooding of the area. 

Geology and Physiography

The underlying rock types and resulting landforms are a key factor in the watershed response 

following fire. Extensively weathered bedrock units and weak rock types can experience 

increased erosion rates due to removal of vegetative cover and changes in soil properties in 

higher burn severity areas (i.e., hydrophobic soils). Additionally, the presence of faults and other 

structural features can have significant influences on landform processes in specific areas.

The principal geologic bedrock units that underlie the Carr Fire range in age from 400 million 

years (Devonian) to 138 million years (Cretaceous). Smaller bodies of extrusive igneous, 

metamorphosed sedimentary rock, and younger (Neogene) sedimentary rocks occur within the 

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burn perimeter. The dominant bedrock units are summarized from Fraticelli et al., (2012) and 

Lapierre et al. (1995). To simplify the display of the principal geologic units described below, 

several of the smaller units within the burned area are combined on the accompanying geologic 

map in order. Similarly, we also simplify some of the lithologic and geochemical descriptions for 

these rock units. 

Mule Mountain Stock (Devonian) is a highly altered granitic intrusion. Within the burned area, 

Mule Mountain Stock underlies portions of the southeast burned area near Whiskeytown Dam. In 

outcrop, it appears as relatively competent rock forming relatively stable landforms. Enhanced 

weathering is present along dikes cross cutting the area and may result in localized elevated 

erosion potential. 

The Shasta Bally (Lower Cretaceous) is a highly weathered quartz diorite and granodiorite 

surrounding Shasta Bally peak and extends west into the watershed encompassing much of the 

Deadwood Creek watershed and the headwaters of Grass Valley Creek. The highly weathered 

rock results into extremely erodible soils subject to elevated surface erosion rates. In steep, 

confined drainages, eroding debris may continue down channels forming debris flows. The steep 

drainages originating off the Shasta Bally south of Whiskeytown Lake show abundant evidence 

of debris flow activity. Major drainages such as Paige Boulder Creek, Brandy Creek, and 

Boulder Creek contain large debris flow deposits near tributary confluences and along lower 

gradient reaches nearer the lake. 

Copley Greenstone (Devonian) is a volcanic sequence of a basalt–andesite series. All the rocks 

are metamorphosed to the greenschist facies. The Copley Greenstone consists of massive flows 

and pyroclastic deposits in the lower part that are overlain by pillow lavas. No sediments are 

interlayered in the volcanic pile except in the easternmost outcrop area, where sandstones with 

granitic debris and shaly tuffs are interbedded in the uppermost flows (Lapierre et al. 1985). In 

outcrop, Copley Greenstone appears relatively resistant with localized weathering and fracturing 

resulting in areas of enhanced erosion. In steeper drainages, smaller debris flow deposits are 

evident at the mouths of drainages. 

The Bragdon formation (Mississippian) is a dark-gray to black shale, mudstone, and siltstone in 

the lower part; siliceous sandstone, grits, and chert conglomerate prominently interlayered with 

dark pelitic rocks in middle and upper parts; some tuffaceous beds near top of formation seem to 

be comformable with and gradational into the overlying Baird Formation. The abundant chert in 

the conglomerate is of unknown source. In outcrop, the Bragdon is highly bedded, readily 

fracturing and prone to enhanced rockfall onto road surfaces. Evidence of debris flow activity 

across the Bragdon is present on steeper drainages. An abundance of fractured, platy material is 

of concern where it delivers to small channels above roads and culverts. Larger debris deposits 

are present on private lands along upper Clear Creek where small, steep channels enter the 

valley. The WERT report discusses these areas in more detail as they relate to state, county, local 

and private landowner issues. 

Soil 

The majority of the soils within the burn area are highly erosive due to the coarse and sandy 

surface textures associated with steep slopes. The soils found in the South Folk Mountain area, 

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especially around the Shasta Bally peak are very prone to extreme erosion due to the Cretaceous 

Shasta Bally Batholith parent material, (decomposed granite). Soils formed from this geological 

parent material are prone to form debris flows under extreme rain events. Other soils found in the 

Mad Mule and Trinity Mountains have more soil development, but still have a high erosion 

potential. These soils produce more mud flow events than debris flows during above normal 

high intensity rain events. 

Hydrology/Water Quality

Flows on unregulated streams in the burned area are characteristic of the Mediterranean climate 

of Northern California, with highest discharge during the wet, winter months and lower 

discharge during the summer and fall months. Flows on Clear Creek were measured downstream 

of French Gulch between 1950 and 1993. Mean monthly discharge in upper Clear Creek during a 

normal year was less than 600 CFS. The highest peak discharge measured over the forty three 

year record was 14,600 CFS in January 1974. Other large flow events occurred in the winters of 

1954 and 1997. Both the 1954 and 1997 flow events blew out bridges at NEED Camp. The 1997 

event also blew out the bridge over Boulder Creek on South Shore Drive and the bridge over 

Brandy Creek at Sheep Camp. 

All of the large rivers in and around the burned area are regulated by the Central Valley Project. 

Altered hydrologic regimes and sediment supply in the Trinity and Sacramento rivers have been 

documented to be an area of concern regarding impacts to fisheries. No attempt to model fire 

effects to regulated watersheds was made. However, it should be noted that prior to the fire 

Deadwood Creek and Grass Valley Creek were delivering sediment loads to the Trinity River 

that exceeded the assimilation capacity of the regulated flows.

The Whiskeytown Dam regulates stream flows on Clear Creek. The reservoir formed by the 

Whiskeytown Dam, commonly referred to as Whiskeytown Lake, is the single largest 

hydrological feature in the watershed. Built by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) in 1962 as part 

of the Central Valley Project, Whiskeytown Lake stores approximately 240,000 acre-feet of 

water and has a surface area of approximately 3,220 acres. While the dam prevents the upstream 

migration of anadromous fish to historic spawning grounds located in the upper watershed, water 

quality and suspended sediments in releases from the dam can affect salmon and other aquatic 

resources downstream of the dam. Geologic, biologic and hydrologic characteristics upstream of 

the dam can also affect the storage potential in Whiskeytown Lake and hence the timing and 

magnitude of downstream flow releases, which have the potential to affect physical and 

biological conditions downstream of the dam. 

The California Division of Water Resources monitors water quality in the area. Water quality

concerns include coliform bacterial levels in waters downstream of septic systems used by 

private residences. Acid mine drainage is also of concern as there are several active and 

abandoned mines in the burned area. 

Soil Burn Severity 

Soil burn severity mapping is intended to reflect the degree of effects caused by the fire to soil 

characteristics that affect soil health and hydrologic function, and hence erosion rate, and runoff 

potential. It is not a map of vegetation consumption. In mapping soil burn severity, the team 

11
evaluated field-observable parameters such as the amount and condition of surface litter and duff 

remaining, soil aggregate stability, amount and condition of fine and very fine roots remaining, 

and surface infiltration rate (water repellency). Water repellency was evaluated by observing the 

length of time a water drop remained beaded on the soil. If water repellency was present, the 

depth and thickness of this water repellant layer was also measured. Ash and soil color may also 

indicate how intense the heat was and how long it remained at a given place (residence time). 

These parameters are compared to similar soils under unburned conditions to estimate the degree 

of change caused by the fire.

While soil burn severity is not based primarily on fire effects to vegetation, the team used postfire vegetative condition as one of the visual indicators in assessing soil burn severity. In some 

cases there may be complete consumption of vegetation by fire, with little effect on soil 

properties, such as in a shrub ecosystem. Dense vegetation, with a deeper litter and duff layer, 

results in longer heat residence time, hence more severe effects on soil properties. For example, 

deep ash after a fire usually indicates a deeper litter and duff layer prior to the fire, which 

generally supports longer residence times. This promotes loss of soil organic cover and organic 

matter which are important for erosion resistance, and the formation or exacerbation of water 

repellent layers at or near the soil surface. The results are increased potential for runoff and soil 

particle detachment and transport by water, wind, and gravity. This would be mapped as high 

soil burn severity. 

Conversely, sparse or light pre-fire vegetation such as grasses or sparse shrubs usually have 

negligible litter layer and surface fuels and experience extremely rapid consumption and spread 

rates, with very little heat residence time at the soil surface. The result is very little alteration of 

soil organic matter and little or no change in soil structural stability. Water repellency, usually 

present under shrubs before the fire, may or may not be exacerbated by the fire. Areas between 

shrubs or grass crowns usually had very little fuel to burn, thus only experienced brief radiant 

heat as the flashy grasses and sparse shrubs burned. In these cases, soil burn severity would be 

low.

In between these extremes, the moderate class of soil burn severity is far more diverse in 

observed soil conditions and can include various vegetation types, ranging from forests to shrub 

communities. In the case of a forest, the litter layer may be largely consumed, but scorched 

needles and leaves remain in the canopy and will rapidly become mulch. This is important in reestablishing protective ground cover and soil organic matter. This factor can result in the 

classification of the area as moderate, rather than high. Generally, however, there will also be 

less destruction of soil organic matter, roots, and structure in an area mapped as moderate. In a 

shrub ecosystem, even where pre-fire canopy density was high, litter layer is generally thin, and 

while the shrub canopy may have been completely consumed by the fire, the soil structure, roots, 

and litter layer may remain intact beneath a thin ash layer. Above ground indicators such as size 

of unconsumed twigs remaining to help the team determine how long the heat may have 

persisted on the site. If only root stubs and large diameter twigs remain, it was likely a more 

intense fire with longer heat residence time, and combined with other observations of soil 

conditions may result in a call of high soil burn severity. More common in chaparral is a 

condition of remaining small diameter twigs, indicating a flashy fire with short residence time. 

Combined with other observations of soil conditions this usually resulted in a classification of 

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moderate soil burn severity even though the canopy was partially consumed. 

Soil Erosion/Debris Flows 

Soil erosion potential following a fire is generally increased over pre-fire potential. This is 

largely due to loss of soil cover (forbs, grass, leaf, and needle litter), surface horizon soil organic 

matter responsible for structural stability, and in some cases, increased water repellency at or 

near the soil surface. The amount of increase over pre-fire condition is related to the degree of 

soil changes. The degree of soil alteration influences the potential of post-fire soil erosion and 

debris flow process. 

The factors most affected by fire are: 1) the amount of effective soil cover, 2) the inherent 

susceptibility to soil particle detachment by wind, water, or gravity (a function of soil texture and 

structural stability), and 3) the surface infiltration rate. Areas of high soil burn severity can be 

expected to show a larger increase in sediment production than an area of low soil burn severity 

due the concomitant decrease in soil cover, increase in susceptibility of soil particle detachment, 

and decrease in the infiltration capacity of the soil. It is important to understand pre-fire erosion 

behavior when assessing post-fire erosion, since some areas have water repellant surfaces and 

inherently high erosion potential even before the fire. 

In more extreme cases, the combination of eroded materials, steep slopes and high rainfall rates 

can trigger destructive debris flows. Debris flows are water-laden masses of soil, vegetation and 

rock that rush down mountainsides, funnel into stream channels, entrain additional material in 

their paths, and form thick, fan-shaped deposits on valley floors. They generally have bulk 

densities comparable to those of rock avalanches and other types of landslides but due to 

widespread sediment liquefaction caused by high pore-fluid pressures, they can flow almost as 

fluidly as water. Debris flows can travel rapidly down steep channels, attaining speeds greater 

than 10 m/s (more than 20 mph), although some large flows can reach speeds that are much 

greater (Iverson 1997). 

Watershed Response 

Overland flow occurs as a result of rainfall that exceeds soil infiltration capacity and the storage 

capacity of depressions. On the unburned forest floor, overland flow is often absent, though 

when it does occur flow is forced to follow a myriad of interlinking paths that constantly change 

as organic material (litter and duff layers) and inorganic material (rock) are encountered. 

Consumption of the forest floor by fire alters the path of overland flow by reducing the overall 

length of the flow path, resulting in the concentration of flow into a shorter flow path. This 

concentration of overland flow increases the hydraulic energy of the flow and can result in rill 

erosion. At the watershed scale, the reduction of hillslope flow path lengths and the formation of 

rills that have a high water conveyance capacity reduce the times of concentration or the amount 

of time for overland flow to reach a defined point within the watershed. 

Overland flow is also increased if there is an increase in water repellency (hydrophobicity) of the 

soils because of the fire. This can reduce infiltration and increase overland flow (runoff). 

Infiltration curves for water repellent soils reflect increasing wettability over time once the soil is 

placed in contact with water. Water repellency decreases (hence infiltration increases) with time 

as the substances responsible for hydrophobicity begin to break down, thereby increasing 

13
wettability. In general, fire-induced hydrophobicity is broken up or is sufficiently washed away 

within one to two years after a fire. The thicker and deeper the water repellant layer, the longer 

it will take to dissipate. However, once soil cover and vegetative canopy begin to recover, this 

persistent water repellency becomes less significant to the runoff response because the litter and 

canopy quickly restore protection of soil and obstruction of overland flow, thus enhancing 

infiltration and reducing energy for runoff and erosion. 

Raindrops striking exposed mineral soil with sufficient force can dislodge soil particles. This is 

known as splash erosion. These dislodged particles can fill in and seal pores in the soil thereby 

reducing infiltration. Further, once soil particles are detached by splash erosion they are more 

easily transported in overland flow. Surface erosion is defined as the movement of individual 

soil particles by a force (wind, water, or gravity), and is initiated by the planar removal of 

material from the soil surface (sheet erosion) or by concentrated removal of material in a 

downslope direction (rill erosion). Surface erosion is a function of four factors: 1) susceptibility 

of the soil to detachment, 2) magnitude of external forces (raindrop impact or overland flow), 3) 

the amount of protection available by material that reduces the magnitude of the external force 

(soil cover), and 4) management practices that can reduce erosion.

On-the-ground field observations within and downstream of the burned area were conducted to 

determine potential watershed response. Channel morphology related to transport and deposition 

processes were noted, along with channel crossings and stream outlets. Observations included 

condition of riparian vegetation and the volume of sediment and wood stored in channels and on 

slopes that could be mobilized. 

FINDINGS

In order to assess the degree of threat to values at risk from post-fire watershed conditions, 

several environmental aspects need to be evaluated including: soil burn severity, erosion and 

debris flow potential, and watershed response. 

Soil Burn Severity 

The Carr Fire burned 229,462 acres within Shasta and Trinity Counties in northern California. 

In cooperation with the US Forest Service and CalFire Watershed Emergency Response Team, 

the Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) map (e.g. Hudak et al, 2004) was adjusted 

by field verification to create a Soil Burn Severity Map (Parsons et al, 2010). The fire was still 

burning on the northeast portion of the fire when the BARC map was acquired. A second image 

of this area was acquired and adjustments made to derive the final soil burn severity map. The 

Soil Burn Severity Map shows that 11,062 acres (4.8%) have high soil burn severity, 89,949 

acres (39.2%) have moderate soil burn severity, 114,447 acres (49.9%) have low soil burn 

severity, and 14,003 acres (6.1%) have unburned soil burn severity (Table 1). High and 

moderate soil burn severity have the greatest impact to watershed response and low and 

unburned have minimum impact to watershed response, therefore high and moderate will only be 

considered in this watershed assessment. 

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Table 1. Acres of Soil Burn Severity for the Carr Fire. 

Soil Burn Severity Class Acres Percent

Unburned 14,003 6.1

Low 114,447 49.9

Moderate 89,949 39.2

High 11,062 4.8

Total 229,462 100

The following table exhibits a more refined scale of soil burn severity as it relates to the 

watersheds within the fire that had identified values at risk. In addition, these watersheds were 

used for hydrologic modeling to help identify the magnitude of risk to identified values. 

Although other watersheds are present in the burned area, only watersheds with identified values 

at risk were modeled. Watersheds without identified values at risk are not discussed any further 

in this assessment. 

Table 2. Acres of Soil Burn Severity Class by Modeled Watershed in the Carr Fire. 

Watershed Acres within 

Fire 

Perimeter

Soil Burn 

Severity Class

Acres Soil Burn 

Severity 

Percent Soil 

Burn Severity

Paige Boulder

Unburned 0 0

3,070 Low 899 29%

Moderate 1,725 56%

High 446 15%

Brandy

Unburned 165 2%

6,257 Low 3,565 57%

Moderate 1,612 26%

High 916 15%

Boulder 

Unburned 0 0

3,266 Low 248 7%

Moderate 2,128 65%

High 899 28%

Whiskey 

Unburned 23

5,785 Low 1,300 22%

Moderate 3,912 68%

High 550 10%

Upper Clear

Unburned 13,803 18%

75,849 Low 34,954 46%

Moderate 24,535 32%

High 2,556 4%

Deadwood 

Unburned 1,168 20%

5,856 Low 2,102 36%

Moderate 1,697 29%

15
High 889 15%

Grass Valley

Unburned 17,348 59%

29,337 Low 6,805 23%

Moderate 4,286 15%

High 898 3%

Crystal

Unburned 358 4%

7,820 Low 3,910 50%

Moderate 3,174 41%

High 378 5%

Middle 

Unburned 39 1%

2,760 Low 929 34%

Moderate 1,743 63%

High 48 2%

Rock

Unburned 149 4%

3,781 Low 1,644 43%

Moderate 1,975 52%

High 14 1%

Salt

Unburned 91 4%

2,340 Low 1,106 47%

Moderate 1,125 48%

High 19 1%

Papoose 

Unburned 92 1%

6,157 Low 2,933 48%

Moderate 2,297 37%

High 837 14%

Cline 

Unburned 40 1%

4,030 Low 926 23%

Moderate 2,639 65%

High 425 11%

Mill

Unburned 0 0

1,818 Low 63 4%

Moderate 1,329 73%

High 426 23%

Erosion Potential (ERMIT results)

ERMiT is a web-based tool developed to predict surface erosion from pre- and post-fire 

hillslopes, and to evaluate the potential effectiveness of various erosion mitigation practices 

(Robichaud et al., 2011). ERMiT requires input for climate parameters based on location, 

vegetation type (forest, range,chaparral), soil type, (clay loam, silt loam, sandy loam, loam and 

rock content), topography (slope length and gradient), and soil burn severity class (low, 

moderate, high). This model provides probabilistic estimates of single-storm post-fire hillslope

erosion by incorporating variability in rainfall characteristics, soil burn severity, and soil 

16
characteristics into each prediction (Robichaud et al., 2011). The following table shows the 

predicted sediment production for modeled watersheds with Values at Risk in the Carr Fire burn 

area.

Table 3. ERMiT Results for 10-yr Storm Event on the Carr Fire.

Modeled Watershed 10-yr Pre

ton/acre

10-yr Post

ton/acre

Percent 

Change

Boulder Creek 4 44 1100%

Brandy Creek 5 39 780

Paige Boulder Creek 5 54 1080

Upper Clear Creek 2 29 1450

Crystal Creek 6 34 570

Deadwood Creek 2 31 1550

Grass Valley Creek 2 27 1350

Middle Creek 7 38 540

Rock Creek 7 34 480

Salt Creek 4 32 800

Papoose Creek 1 28 2800

Whiskey Creek 4 44 1100

Mill Creek 2 40 2000

Cline Creek 5 48 960

Debris Flow Potential

Debris flow potential was assessed using a combination of modeling outputs and field 

observations in the vicinity of identified Values at Risk. Modeled debris flow hazard was

provided by the U.S. Geological Survey’s post-fire debris flow hazard model (Staley et al. 2016). 

In simplest terms, the model incorporates information on burn severity, soil erodibility, slope and 

elevation. The model was run using a 15-minute rainfall intensity of 28 mm/hr (1.12 in/hr). It 

should be emphasized that this empirical model does not incorporate data from Northern 

California. However, by integrating burn characteristics, soil properties and landscape 

parameters, the model is a valuable tool for guiding reconnaissance and assessment efforts. 

Field reconnaissance included identification of historic debris flow deposits supported by 

discussions with local specialists. Debris flow deposits are often readily recognizable, 

particularly in the post –fire environment where concealing vegetation is removed. Debris flows 

typically deposit steep fans at tributary junctions and where smaller drainages enter a larger 

valley. The fans are characterized by numerous lobes of rocky debris with traces of remnant 

channels across the features. Along channels, debris flows can leave prominent natural levees 

and berms as the traveling debris front sheds and deposits debris along its flanks. 

Watershed Response 

The effect of wildfires on storm runoff is well documented. Wildfires typically cause an increase 

in watershed responsiveness to precipitation events. Burned watersheds can quickly yield runoff 

due to the removal of protective tree and shrub canopies and litter and duff layers, thus 

producing flash floods. Burned areas often respond to typical storm events in a much flashier 

way. The amount of water yield increase is variable and it is often orders of magnitude larger 

17
than pre-fire events. These impacts are predominantly true in watersheds that experienced 

significant consumption of the vegetation community and moderate to high soil burn severity 

effects. Fires may increase the number of runoff events as well because it generally takes a 

smaller storm to trigger runoff until vegetation begins to recover. Peak flow increases from the 

fire may also be augmented by floatable and transportable material within the active channels.

Throughout the fire area, vegetation recovery is largely dependent on climatic cycles. If wet 

winters occur, vegetation recovery could be rapid, with forbs and grasses providing ground cover 

similar to that observed in unburned areas throughout the fires. By the second winter season, 

forbs, grasses, and re-established shrubs should provide sufficient cover to reduce any increase in 

watershed response to near pre-fire levels. Once sprouting vegetation begins to produce brushy 

crowns and a duff/litter layer, watershed response will be reduced further. However, if winters 

are dry, vegetation recovery will be slow, and thus the establishment of ground cover and shrub 

communities will be slow, and watershed response will remain slightly elevated over pre-fire 

conditions. 

A consequence of increased runoff, erosion, sediment and debris delivery is a short-term 

degradation of water quality as ash, sediment, and burned organic debris are delivered to streams 

and reservoirs within and downstream of burned areas. The impacts of this effect depend largely 

on the vegetative recovery times in combination with storm characteristics in the same time 

period. 

The primary watershed response of the Carr Fire is largely dependent on the amount of area 

classified as moderate to high soil burn severity. As exhibited in Table 1, the largest percentage 

of moderate and high soil burn severity within the burn perimeter is in the following watersheds: 

Mill (96%), Boulder (93%), Cline (76%), Whiskey (73%), Paige Boulder (71%), Middle (65%) 

and Rock (53%). Modifying this response is the patchiness of soil burn severity, steep watershed 

slopes, and the geology of those watersheds within the Shasta Bally Batholith. The increase in 

peak stream flow and the associated hillslope erosion is expected to decrease to natural levels 

after 3-5 years as vegetative recover occurs in the fire effected watersheds. 

The DOI Watershed Team used the StreamStats program developed by the U.S. Geological 

Survey to determine relative 10-year peak flow estimates for pre-fire (Qpre-fire). StreamStats 

version 4 is a Web application that provides access to an assortment of Geographic Information 

Systems (GIS) analytical tools. StreamStats incorporates (1) a map-based user interface for the 

site selection; (2) a relational data base that contains information for data-collection stations and 

regression equations used to estimate flow statistics for ungaged sites; (3) a GIS program that 

allows locating sites of interest in the user interface, delineates drainage basins and measures 

basin characteristics; and (4) a database of geospatial datasets needed for the GIS program to 

work. Geospatial datasets include digital representations of the land surface (digital elevation 

models and derivative products), water features, historic climate data, soils information, and 

land-use information. 

In consultation with the CalFire Watershed Emergency Response Team assigned to the Carr Fire, 

The DOI BAER Team selected an empirical method to model post-fire peak flow percent 

increases for watersheds with Values at Risk (Kinoshita et al. 2014). Methodology for 

18
application of a sediment bulking factor to post-fire peak flows was modified from the 

Interagency BAER Team methodology described in Gusman et al. (2011). 

The bulked discharge, QB, is defined as: 

QB = Qpre-fire x Qpre-fire (%HighBurn*0.7 + %ModerateBurn*0.5 + %LowBurn*0.2) 

Watershed modeling results are presented in Table 4 and discussed in the context of their 

implications to values at risk in the following subsections.

Table 4. Watershed Modeling Results for Post-Fire Peak Flows.

Modeled Watershed Bulking 

Factor

Post-Fire % Peak 

Flow Increase

Boulder Creek 1.5 50

Brandy Creek 1.4 40

Clear Creek 1.3 30

Cline Gulch 1.4 40

Crystal Creek 1.3 30

Deadwood Creek 1.3 30

Grass Valley Creek 1.1 10

Middle Creek 1.4 40

Mill Creek 1.5 50

Paige Boulder Creek 1.4 40

Papoose Creek 1.4 40

Rock Creek 1.4 40

Salt Creek 1.3 30

Whiskey Creek 1.4 40

Paige Boulder Creek 

The Paige Boulder Creek watershed had 3,070 acres burned within the Carr Fire which 

represents the entire watershed. Approximately 29% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn 

severity, 56% of the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 15% high soil burn 

severity. Modeled flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 44% over prefire flows to the confluence with Lower Clear Creek while post-fire mean sediment yields using 

ERMiT show erosion of 54 tons/acre, a 1080% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate 

conditions. The change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (71%) of moderate 

and high soil burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the upper 

portion of the watershed has the highest concentration of high soil burn severity which is on the 

higher elevations of Shasta Bally. 

It should be noted that bridges over Paige Boulder Creek at NEED Camp were destroyed in high 

flow events in both 1997 and 1954. 

Brandy Creek

The Brandy Creek watershed had 6,257 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents 

almost the entire watershed. Approximately 2% of the watershed was unburned, 57% of the 

19
watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 26% of the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn 

severity and 15% high soil burn severity. Modeled flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were 

estimated to increase 44% over pre-fire flows to the confluence with Whiskeytown Lake while 

post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show erosion of 39 tons/acre, a 780% increase,

with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. The change in peak flow is associated with 

the moderate percentage (41%) of moderate and high soil burn severity throughout the majority 

of the watershed. In addition, the majority of the stream corridor exhibited low soil burn severity 

however, the upper slopes in the watershed have the highest concentration of moderate and high 

soil burn severity. These slopes are on the higher elevations of Shasta Bally. 

Boulder Creek

The Boulder Creek watershed had 3,266 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 7% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 65% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 28% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 53% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with Whiskeytown Lake while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 44 tons/acre, an 1100% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. 

The change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (93%) of moderate and high soil 

burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the upper portion of the 

watershed has the highest concentration of high soil burn severity which is on the higher 

elevations of Shasta Bally. 

It should be noted that the previous crossing structure at this location was destroyed by a high 

flow event in 1997. 

Whiskey Creek

The Whiskey Creek watershed had 5,785 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 22% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 68% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 10% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 45% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with Whiskeytown Lake while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 44 tons/acre, a 1100% increase, with a 10-year storm using local conditions. The 

change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (73%) of moderate and high soil burn 

severity located primarily in the lower portion of the watershed. The upper portion of the 

watershed consists primarily of low and moderate soil burn severity. 

Upper Clear Creek

The Upper Clear Creek watershed had 75,849 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents 

82% of the watershed. Approximately 46% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 

32% of the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 4% high soil burn severity. 

Modeled flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 28% over pre-fire flows 

to the confluence with Willow Creek while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 29 tons/acre, a 1450% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. 

The change in peak flow is associated with the size and topography of the watershed along with 

several subwatersheds lower in the system that experienced high levels of moderate and high soil 

burn severity. 

20
Deadwood Creek 

The Deadwood Creek watershed had 5,856 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents 

80% of the watershed. Approximately 36% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 

29% of the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 14% high soil burn severity. 

Modeled flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 32% over pre-fire flows 

to the confluence with the Trinity River while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 31 tons/acre, a 1550% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. 

The relatively low change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (44%) of low and 

moderate soil burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. The upper headwater 

portion of the watershed is where the highest concentration of high soil burn severity occurs. 

Grass Valley Creek

The Grass Valley Creek watershed had 11,989 acres burned within the Carr Fire which 

represents 41% of the watershed. Approximately 23% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn 

severity, 15% of the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 3% high soil burn 

severity. Modeled flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 14% over prefire flows to the confluence with the Trinity River while post-fire mean sediment yields using 

ERMiT show erosion of 27 tons/acre, a 1350% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate 

conditions. The relatively low change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (59%) 

of the watershed in an unburned condition along with the portion that did burn was primarily low 

soil burn severity. One small headwater subwatershed did experience high and moderate soil 

burn severity however, this drains into Grass Valley Reservoir. 

Crystal Creek

The Crystal Creek watershed had 7,820 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 50% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 41% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 5% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 34% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with Willow Creek while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show erosion 

of 34 tons/acre, a 570% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. The 

relatively low change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (91%) of low and 

moderate soil burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. An upper headwater 

portion of the watershed near Shasta Bally Peak is where the highest concentration of high soil 

burn severity occurs. 

Middle Creek

The Middle Creek watershed had 2,760 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 34% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 63% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 2% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 40% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with the Sacramento River while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 38 tons/acre, a 540% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. 

The change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (65%) of moderate and high soil 

burn severity throughout the upper portion of the watershed. 

Rock Creek

21
The Rock Creek watershed had 3,781 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 43% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 52% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 1% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 35% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with the Sacramento River while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 34 tons/acre, a 480% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. 

The relatively low change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (43%) of low soil 

burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the upper portion of the 

watershed has the highest concentration of moderate soil burn severity. 

Salt Creek

The Salt Creek watershed had 2,340 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the entire 

watershed. Approximately 47% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 48% of the 

burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 1% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 34% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with the Sacramento River while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show 

erosion of 32 tons/acre, a 850% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. 

The relatively low change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (51%) of unburned 

and low soil burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the upper 

headwall portions of the watershed has the highest concentration of moderate soil burn severity. 

Papoose Creek 

The Papoose Creek watershed had 6,157 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 48% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 37% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 14% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 38% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with Trinity Lake while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show erosion 

of 28 tons/acre, a 2800% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. The 

relatively low change in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (49%) of unburned and 

low soil burn severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the two 

subwatersheds in the northern portion of the watershed have the highest concentration of 

moderate and high soil burn severity. 

Mill Creek

The Mill Creek watershed had 1,818 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

entire watershed. Approximately 4% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 73% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 23% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 54% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with Clear Creek while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show erosion of 

40 tons/acre, a 2000% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. The change 

in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (96%) of moderate and high soil burn 

severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the upper portion of the 

watershed has the highest concentration of high soil burn severity which is on the higher 

elevations of Shasta Bally. 

Cline Gulch

The Cline Gulch watershed had 4,030 acres burned within the Carr Fire which represents the 

22
entire watershed. Approximately 23% of the watershed exhibited low soil burn severity, 65% of 

the burned acres exhibited moderate soil burn severity and 11% high soil burn severity. Modeled 

flows for return period’s ≤ 10 years were estimated to increase 45% over pre-fire flows to the 

confluence with Clear Creek while post-fire mean sediment yields using ERMiT show erosion of 

48 tons/acre, a 960% increase, with a 10-year storm using local climate conditions. The change 

in peak flow is associated with the high percentage (76%) of moderate and high soil burn 

severity throughout the majority of the watershed. In addition, the upper two-thirds of the 

watershed has moderate soil burn severity. 

Debris Flows 

Debris flows are a relevant hazard in the burned area. Modeled outputs show many high hazard 

areas throughout. It should be emphasized that a “high” hazard modeled segment does not 

necessarily equate to an imminent hazard. Additional field verification is required to identify the 

presence of past deposits that may be indicative of future instances of debris flows. 

Field reconnaissance revealed debris flows deposits in several drainages. Many of the larger 

drainages along the south side of Whiskeytown Lake, including Boulder Creek, Dry Creek, 

Brandy Creek and Paige Boulder Creek contain notable debris fans in their lower gradient 

reaches near the lake. Other units within the burned area such as the Mule Mountain Stock, 

Bragdon Formation and Copley Greenstone also show evidence of debris flows, but are generally 

smaller features. However, smaller debris fans at tributary mouths suggest debris flows can occur 

on steeper drainages elsewhere in the burned area. The CalFire Watershed Emergency Response 

Team report discusses debris flow hazards on non-federal lands, particularly in the upper Clear 

Creek watershed where steep drainages empty into the Clear Creek valley.

In regards to the Shasta Bally Batholith, field evidence and interviews with NPS staff document 

debris flows occurring during the January 1997 storm, when a rain on snow event triggered at 

least two debris flows within the park, one in Brandy Creek watershed and one in Paige-Boulder 

watershed. The 1997 event resulted in the failure of at least three crossings (Brandy Creek at 

Sheep Camp, Paige Boulder Creek at NEED Camp and Boulder Creek at South Shore Drive). 

Review of nearby stream gauges suggest that while 1997 was a significant runoff event, it was 

not unprecedented in the record. 

Given the unstable nature of the weathered granodiorite as well as recent and past events, the 

likelihood of debris flows during post-fire conditions greatly increases. In particular, areas of 

high soil burn severity and high vegetation mortality on the Shasta Bally present high debris flow 

hazards. Debris flow hazard in Shasta Bally drainages appears to be further enhanced by the 

abundance of large granitic boulders present throughout the weathered rock body. These large 

boulders incorporated in debris flows add additional bulk, may help entrain additional debris, 

and dramatically increase the potential for damage to downstream values. 

Assigning a probability to debris flow occurrence similar to the approach used for flood flows is 

impractical and can be mis-leading. Considerable uncertainty in the triggering rainfall 

conditions, physical watershed setting and resulting volumes precludes reliable estimates of 

probability (e.g., Kean et al. 2016, Gusman 2011 for discussions on bulking factors). Debris 

flow discharge can be orders of magnitude greater than floods in the same area, unlike the 

23
bulking value of 1.7 used previously in the runoff modeling to account for more routine 

entrainment of post-fire debris. For example, drainages originating from the Shasta Bally 

contain abundant large debris flow deposits relative to the channel size, suggesting immense

volumes of material can be entrained during large storm events. 

Debris flow hazards are discussed for each value at risk below. 

VAULES AT RISK 

All areas within the burned area and downstream of the burned area were evaluated for Values at 

Risk due to post-fire watershed conditions. This assessment covers National Park Service, 

Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service lands burned in the Carr Fire and discusses 

Values at Risk on these lands. Values at risk on all other lands are covered in the CalFire WERT 

Report. 

In regards to flooding from post-fire watershed conditions, Standard Operating Procedures 

(SOPs) for BAER evaluations are to consider and prescribe treatment for storm events up to the 

25-year recurrence interval. The ability for BAER to prescribe temporary treatments that 

withstand storm events greater than a 25-year magnitude becomes problematic. The nature of 

BAER activities allows for rapid assessment and rapid implementation of treatments to protect 

human lives, property, and critical natural and cultural resources. Design of treatments and 

implementation of treatments beyond 25-year storm events usually requires complex engineering 

and implementation that exceeds the rapid implementation of such treatment. 

National Park Service

Brandy Creek Campground: 

The Brandy Creek Campground, bridge and associated facilities are at risk of flooding and debris 

flow impacts. Most of the facilities are constructed on historic debris flow deposits. Photographs 

from 1997 document inundation of the lower lying areas. Significant erosion of the beach also 

occurred, requiring extensive repairs and armoring. Extensive areas of high soiland moderate 

burn severity and debris flow hazard segments sourcing fromoccur in the headwater stream 

reaches where the erosive Shasta Bally material is present. These headwater reaches also 

function as the source areas for debris flows that are capable of traveling downstream into the 

Brandy Creek facilities.Field observations, watershed modeling results, geology of the 

watershed, and recent events within the past 50 years indicate this VAR is at risk. 

Boulder Creek Campground: 

Boulder Creek experienced some of the highest proportions of high soil burn severity, occurring 

on Shasta Bally material. The campground sits on a historic debris flow terrace and is at risk 

from potential post-fire events. These drainages also serve as the source areas for debris flows. 

Post-fire watershed modeling results for Boulder Creek indicate that post-fire discharges up to 

327% capable of pre-fire flows may occur. The trail fords Boulder Creek multiple times and 

were the water to rise quickly, would leave campers stranded with no reasonable egress route 

traveling downstream and impacting these facilities.

As stated previously, Boulder Creek experienced some of the highest proportions of high soil 

burn severity, occurring on Shasta Bally material. The bottomless arch culvert where South 

Shore Drive crosses Boulder Creek sits on historic debris flow deposits and is at risk from 

potential post-fire debris flows. Post-fire watershed modeling results for Boulder Creek indicate 

24
that post-fire discharges up to 150% of pre-fire flows may occur. The previous road-stream 

crossing structure where South Shore Drive crosses Boulder Creek blew out in the 1997 flood. 

The increase in runoff, and the erosive power of post-fire sediment laden water will likely 

exacerbate the existing issue of the left culvert footer being undermined and accelerate the 

eventual failure of the structure. The structure has a span of 31 feet and a rise of 12 feet (plus 2 

feet for the concrete stem walls). Its failure would potentially have consequences for public 

safety.

Whiskeytown Environmental School NEED Camp: 

The main facilities for the NEED Camp is located on the south bank of Paige Boulder Creek, 

which includes a road bridge over the creek. Debris flow hazard is significant at NEED camp. 

The central facilities of the NEED camp are constructed on an historic debris flow fan. 

Anecdotes from 1997 suggest a debris flow was responsible for destroying the bridge and 

sending floodwaters to the main kitchen building. Indeed, a string of bridge failures has occurred 

at this site extending back to at least the storm of 1954. 

Post-fire watershed modeling results for Paige Boulder Creek indicate that post-fire discharges 

up to 150% of pre-fire flows may occur. The previous road-stream crossing structure where 

South Shore Drive crosses Boulder Creek blew out in the 1997 flood. Flood waters have 

threatened the dining hall multiple times in the recent past. Field observations, watershed 

modeling results, geology of the watershed, and recent events within the past 50 years indicate 

this VAR is at risk.

Transportation System Infrastructure: 

With regards to debris flow hazards, many small drainages across the burned area have high 

modeled hazards. To further assess risks to roads and culverts, the debris flow hazard model 

results are overlaid with streams and roads to highlight areas of heightened risk. Road networks 

extending into the Shasta Bally may be especially vulnerable to debris flow hazards. 

Potable Water Systems: 

Four potable water systems are at risk from post-fire hillslope erosion. Field observations 

determined that these sites are likely to experience hill slope sheet flows off the burn area during 

major rain events due to moderate and high soil burn severity. 

Bureau of Land Management 

Transportation Infrastructure: 

With regards to debris flow hazards, many small drainages across the burned area have high 

modeled hazards. To further assess risks to roads and culverts, the debris flow hazard model 

results are overlaid with streams and roads to highlight areas of heightened risk. Road networks 

extending into the Shasta Bally materials (i.e., Grass Valley and Deadwood Creek watersheds) 

may be especially vulnerable to debris flow hazards given the erosion potential of the parent 

material.

Swasey Sediment Basin: 

The Swasey Sediment Basin is located in the upper portion of Middle Creek. It is an important 

structure to help minimize sediment inputs to downstream critical habitats for threatened and 

25
endangered Chinook salmon and steelhead species. Currently the sediment basin is filled to 

capacity and is not function as intended. Approximately 63% of the Middle Creek watershed has 

moderate soil burn severity and modeled post-fire peak flows showing a 40% increase. This 

sediment basin is at vulnerable to failure under post-fire conditions. 

Grass Valley Sediment Basin: 

The Grass Valley Sediment Basin/Reservoir is located in the upper portion of Grass Valley 

Creek. The reservoir provides sediment retention for downstream movement of material to the 

Trinity River, where threatened coho and critical habitat occur. Only 17% of the watershed 

experienced high and moderate soil burn severity and modeled post-fire peak flows showing a 

14% increase. The reservoir/sediment basin is not considered to be at risk from post-fire peak 

flows or sediment yields. 

US Forest Service

Transportation Infrastructure: 

With regards to debris flow hazards, many small drainages across the burned area have high 

modeled hazards. To further assess risks to roads and culverts, the debris flow hazard model 

results are overlaid with streams and roads to highlight areas of heightened risk. Small, steep 

drainages sourcing from high severity burn areas are especially vulnerable to increased debris 

flow impacts.

Critical Natural Resources

There are several species/populations of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act with 

designated critical habitat within or downstream of the Carr Fire. These species and population 

are:

• Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is a federally 

listed Endangered species.

• California Central Valley Spring-run Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is a 

federally listed Threatened species.

• California Central Valley DPS Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a federally 

listed Threatened species.

• Northern California Coast Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a federally listed 

Threatened species.

General Fire Effects to Fish/Water Quality/Aquatic Systems

Fish populations have been found to respond in a variety of ways to the effects of large wildfires 

(Reiman and Clayton 1997). Refugia are known to be a key component in the recovery of 

salmonid populations. When salmonids are severely depressed by the effects of fires, a migratory 

life history may aid in the recovery and persistence of a population (Reiman and Clayton 1997). 

Gresswell (1999) presents an overview of direct and indirect effect of fire on aquatic ecosystem 

processes and biological communities.

The effects of wildfire on fish and aquatic resources may depend on multiple factors that include: 

26
the scale and severity of fire; existing watershed and riparian condition; the connectedness of 

habitats that provide for potential refugia and re-colonization; and the potential for the full range 

of life history expression (Reiman et al. 1997, Gresswell, 1999). Fire can alter the quantity, 

quality, and use of habitat via the alteration of water temperatures, increased sedimentation rates, 

loss of riparian vegetation, nutrient availability, food sources, and woody debris (McMahon and 

deCalesta 1990). 

Water Quality and Nutrient Cycle-Aquatic Systems

Wildfires can also have an effect on the nutrient cycle in aquatic systems. Usually there is an 

initial nutrient pulse after a wildfire. This is followed by a gradual decrease in nutrient loss from 

the watershed because of the high recovery of net photosynthetic rates of terrestrial vegetation. 

Low nutrient concentrations in the stream 5-10 years after the fire are expected to contribute to 

the decline in autochthonous production (Minshall, Brock, and Varley 1989). Enhanced light 

levels will increase primary production for 10-20 years. Additionally, the changing light levels 

will cause a shift in the benthic flora from diatoms and moss to green algae with occasional 

formations of filamentous algal mats. There are two major factors affecting the pattern of 

dissolved nutrient concentrations in streams: 1) water borne transport, and 2) biotic uptake and 

release. Nutrient increases are usually small or of a short duration after a fire and their effects on 

fish populations and food resources are negligible in most cases. Robichaud et al (1993) 

observed relatively little sediment transport and minimal nutrient losses following a low intensity 

burn in northern Idaho, however, nutrient spikes following fire are most common during storm 

events in the autumn and after the summer period of maximum algal production and fish growth. 

Chemical water quality measurements after wildfire are generally for nitrogen and phosphorous. 

Nitrogen can occur in several forms in a stream; however the nitrate-nitrogen ion (most common 

form used by vascular plants) is typically studied as a result of its mobility through the soil–

water system. In general, nitrate concentrations are low in undisturbed watersheds and have 

relatively small increases following wildfire. Nitrogen export from watersheds is dependent on 

the amount present and streamflow. The severity and intensity of wildfires affects nitrogen 

export and concentrations in watersheds. Phosphorous in watersheds is present primarily in two 

forms 1) orthophosphate (the inorganic form) and 2) organic phosphate with the losses of 

phosphates after wildfire are generally negligible (Beschta, 1990). 

Similar to streams, the nutrient cycle of lakes and reservoirs can be affected with pulses of 

nutrients following a wildfire event. Nutrients such as ammonium, phosphorous, potassium, and 

alkalinity typically increase in aquatic systems following ash input. Concentrations of these 

nutrients can return to pre-fire levels within 4 months following input to water bodies (Earl and 

Blinn, 2003). Concentrations of major ions, turbidity levels, and pH can increase immediately in 

aquatic systems downstream or at the point of entry to a water body following ash inputs, 

however these changes in water chemistry are typically short lived, less than 24 hours (Earl and 

Blinn, 2003). 

Larger lakes and/or reservoirs typically see lower impacts to water quality and nutrient cycle 

from wildfire events. For example, an analysis of water quality records for Yellowstone and 

Lewis Lakes collected over a fifteen year period between 1976 and 1991 have shown only a 

minimal shift in lake water quality following the large wildfires in 1988. Approximately 25 

27
percent of these respective watersheds were heavily burned, however these lakes were large 

enough to dilute increased inputs and have experienced few lasting effects from the 1988 fires 

(Lathrop, 1994). 

Carr Fire Watershed Response on Listed Fish Species 

Trinity River

Tributaries to the Trinity River that occur in the Carr Fire include Deadwood Creek, Hoadley 

Gulch, Grass Valley Creek, and Little Grass Valley Creek. These streams are important for the 

recovery of Northern California Coast coho. Altered hydrologic regimes and sediment supply 

have been documented to be an area of concern regarding the recovery of the species (NOAA 

2014a). As discussed above in this assessment, watershed response models were run for 

Deadwood Creek and Grass Valley Creek to determine relative increases in post-fire peak runoff 

and sediment yield. 

Deadwood Creek could see an increase in post-fire peak runoff of 32% over pre-fire peak flows 

while sediment yields are estimated to be 31 tons/acre or a 1550% increase over pre-fire 

sediment yields. Forty-four percent of the watershed was either unburned or had low soil burn 

severity. The headwaters did experience high soil burn severity however, and additional surface 

erosion and delivery to the channel network is anticipated. No hillslope treatments (e.g. straw 

mulch) to minimize soil erosion were prescribed for Deadwood Creek. Slope steepness, the 

small percentage of high soil burn severity within the watershed, effectiveness of the treatment, 

and cost vs benefit were taken into consideration. For sediment issues, specifications are 

provided for treatments focused on road drainage features, namely culverts, with pre-storm road 

and event cleaning to facilitate the movement of water and minimize plugging. This pre-storm 

effort followed by a series of post-storm road patrols to address runoff issues, culvert plugging 

and other road-related drainage and erosion issues. 

Grass Valley Creek could see an increase in post-fire peak runoff of 14% over pre-fire peak 

flows while sediment yields are estimated to be 27 tons/acre or a 1350% increase over pre-fire 

sediment yield. Eighty-two percent of the Grass Valley Creek watershed was unburned or had 

low soil burn severity. A small headwater watershed contains the majority the moderate and 

high soil burn severity however, this area occurs upstream of Grass Valley Reservoir. It is 

anticipated that sediment generated from this area would fall out in the reservoir and not be 

transported to the Trinity River. 

Sacramento River

Tributaries to the Sacramento River that occur in the Carr Fire include Middle Creek, Rock

Creek, Salt Creek, and Lower Clear Creek. These streams are important for the recovery of 

Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook, Central Valley Spring-run Chinook, and Central Valley 

DPS steelhead. Loss of juvenile rearing habitat in the form of lost natural river morphology and 

function, and lost riparian habitat and instream cover are documented concerns for recovery of 

Winter-run chinook and Spring-run chinook along with limited spawning habitat availability for 

steelhead (NOAA 2014b) 

 

Middle Creek, Rock Creek, and Salt Creek could see an increase in post-fire peak runoff of 40%, 

35%, and 34% over pre-fire peak flows while sediment yields are estimated to be 38, 34, and 32 

28
tons/acre, or 540%, 480%, and 850% respectively, over pre-fire sediment yield. These three 

watersheds had a minimal amount of high soil burn severity ranging between 1-2% of the 

watersheds. Since there was very little acres of high soil burn severity, no hillslope treatments 

were prescribed to minimize soil erosion and transport to stream channels. Specifications are 

provided to address road and culvert issues within these watersheds, and sediment removal in the 

Swasey sediment basin on Middle Creek. 

Lower Clear Creek was not modeled. The Whiskeytown Dam and Lake prevented StreamStats 

from delineating the watershed. However, approximately 56% of this watershed burned during 

the Carr Fire. The majority of the soil burn severity, 49% was low and 44% moderate soil burn 

severity. No treatments were identified for this watershed as it is anticipated the post-fire 

watershed response of peak flows and sediment yield will be low. 

Critical Cultural Resources

See Cultural Resource Assessment of a description of VAR’s. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

Emergency Stabilization

Culvert Cleanout (NPS-20, BLM-17, USFS-3) 

There are many places at risk of inundation, debris deposition, flood damage and other post-fire 

related impacts from elevated flows carrying sediment and debris. Culverts will be at elevated 

risk from post-fire flood and debris flow deposits and must be cleared to ensure maximum flow 

capacity and accessibility. Prior to the fall and winter wet season, use appropriate heavy 

equipment to remove sediment and debris from culvert inlets and outlets. Heavy equipment will 

be required due to the volume and weight of material that needs to be removed.

Storm Patrol/Road Debris Removal (NPS-21, BLM-16, USFS-2) 

There are many BLM, NPS, and USFS maintained roads and road-stream crossings within the 

fire perimeter at risk of inundation, debris deposition, culvert plugging, flood damage and other 

post-fire related impacts from elevated flows carrying sediment and debris. After rainfall events 

these areas will be assessed for any potential damage to the roads and infrastructure such as 

culvert plugging and stream diversions onto the road surface. If the culverts are plugged or 

damaged then the areas could be cleaned out immediately to avoid further damage during the 

next rainfall event. Additionally, other values at risk (buildings, water supply facilities, 

diversion structures, etc.) adjacent to channels will be assessed during storm patrol.

The patrols are used to identify those road problems such as plugged culverts and washed out 

roads and to clear, clean, and/or block those roads that are or have received damage. The storm 

patrollers shall have access to equipment that can be used when a drainage culvert is plugged or 

soon to be plugged and to repair any road receiving severe surface erosion. 

Structure Protection (NPS-23) 

Two park facilities sites within Whiskeytown National Recreational Area will be impacted by 

post fire flood and debris flows from the Carr fire burn scar. These facilities are used by the 

public and need to be protected. At the Brandy Creek recreational area the upper restroom, 

lower restroom, store and lift station will be protected by placement of k-rails and sandbags. The 

NEED’s camp will require protection using Hesco baskets, sandbags, removal of floatable 

29
debris, and berm repair. 

Potable Water Source Protection (NPS-24) 

Several potable water sites within Whiskeytown National Recreational Area have been impacted 

by post fire effects from the Carr fire burn scar. Potable water is used throughout the 

Whiskeytown National Recreational Area for Park facilities, which included recreation sites 

Engineering Evaluation (NPS-25) 

An engineering assessment of the Boulder Creek Culvert on South Shore Drive is needed to 

develop a comprehensive design solution to the compromised footer on the left bank which is at 

risk as a result of the Carr Fire. 

Swasey Basin Cleanout (BLM-19) 

Remove sediment and debris from the Swasey Sediment Basin on Middle Creek prior to fall 

rainfall events to maximize storage capacity. Following major storm events, remove debris and 

sediment fill to maintain storage capacity of the sediment basin. The work is expected to occur 

in fall of 2018 for initial clean out and for eight storms during the first winter (2019/2020), four 

storms during the second winter (2020/2021), and two storms during the third winter season 

(2021/2022). 

NON-SPECIFICATION MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 

National Park Service

Whiskeytown NEED’s Camp: 

Due to the increased risk of debris flows and flooding associated with post-fire watershed 

condition, NEED camp should be closed for a minimum of three years (through the winter of 

2020-2021). In order to reduce risks to site infrastructure, the trailer, propane tanks, and electric 

box in the figure below should be moved out of the path of flood waters. 

30
South Shore Road: 

South Shore Road should be closed seasonally from November to May for at least three years 

(through the winter of 2020-2021). South Shore Road crosses multiple small drainages and 

several major drainages draining out of watersheds with substantial amounts of moderate and 

high soil burn severity. These drainages all have the potential to produce flooding and debris 

flows which would pose direct safety threats to motorists, and also indirect threats in that such 

events could leave motorist stranded. 

Boulder Creek Primitive Campground: 

Due to the potential for egress from the campground to be cut off by high-water conditions at the 

multiple fords on all access trails, camping at the Boulder Creek Primitive Campground should 

not be allowed for at least three years (through the winter of 2020-2021). Use of this trail should 

be limited to day use only. 

Brandy Creek Campground: seasonal closure

Due to the increased risk of flooding and debris flows, Brandy Creek Campground should be 

closed seasonally from November to May for at least three years (through the winter of 2020-

2021). 

Mineral Springs:

A complex of mineral springs adjacent to state highway 299 at milepost 7.84 provides unique 

31
habitat for endemic plant species. A culvert under the highway conveys runoff from a 61-acre 

intermittent channel across the one of the spring sites. Concerns over sedimentation and burial of 

the site have resulted in the construction of a small sediment retention basin upstream of the 

highway. Based on discussions with NPS staff, CalTrans regularly excavates the retention basin. 

Furthermore, an incipient landslide scarp cuts across the western portion of the drainage near the 

headwaters. The scarp appears as part of a larger complex of scarps occupying adjacent small 

drainages to the west. These scarps range in length from 60 to 150 meters. Much older landslide 

topography to the west suggests that these scarps reflect to deep-seated movement, most likely 

associated with a fault that is mapped in the vicinity. Field observations suggest the fire is 

unlikely to appreciably influence the dynamics of the incipient landslide. This is based on the 

combination of a lack of larger vegetation providing root cohesion and the deep-seated nature of 

the slide mass where the slide plane extends below the rooting zone. 

More relevant to sedimentation, is the amount of drainage area experiencing at least moderate 

soil burn severity. Upstream of the retention basin, 56% of the watershed experienced a moderate 

soil burn severity. Reconnaissance of the channel revealed many areas of actively raveling slopes 

and smaller bank landslides delivering increased debris to the channel. Given the burn severity 

and abundance of loose hillside materials, increased sediment delivery and transport is expected 

through the reach with increased filling rates in the sediment basin. Surface erosion modeling 

results suggest a ten-fold increase in annual surface erosion values post-fire, eventually returning 

to a pre-fire level as vegetation recovery occurs. 

Based on modeled increased runoff and sediment delivery, coupled with post-fire field 

observations, construction of additional storage capacity at the site is recommended. Additional 

small basin(s) should be installed in conformance with applicable rights-of-way and permitting. 

The additional capacity should reflect the anticipated sediment volumes and frequency of 

cleaning. Regular clean-outs should occur immediately following storms, particularly during the 

first runoff producing storms of the season. 

Flooding/Evacuation Plan: 

It is recommended that the Whiskeytown NRA consider developing an emergency flood 

response plan. An example of a plan that the park can use for guidance is the "Lake McDonald 

Complex Flood Evacuation Plan". This plan can be found in Appendix V-Supporting 

Documentation and will provide key information to include in the plan such as: 

 

Stage 1: Pre-Evacuation Planning Notice

Explanation: Conditions are conducive to a flood or debris flow occurring usually within the next 

48 hours. 

Trigger: NWS issues Flash Flood Watch - or - the park determines local conditions (creek stage, 

snowpack, temp increasing, precipitation forecasts, etc.) dictate the need to go to Stage 1.

Stage 2: Evacuation Warning

Explanation: A flood or debris flow is occurring or has a high likelihood of occurring. 

Trigger: NWS issues Flash Flood Warning - or - local conditions (creek stage, snowpack, temp 

increasing, precipitation forecasts, etc.) dictate the need to go to Stage 2. 

32
Stage 3: Immediate Evacuation

Explanation: A major flood or debris flow is occurring or is imminent. Anyone left in the 

evacuation area needs to leave the area immediately.

Trigger: NWS issues Flood Warning - or - local conditions (creek stage, snowpack, temp 

increasing, precipitation forecasts, etc.) dictate the need to go to Stage 3. 

It should be stated that all 3 conditions do not need to be met to get to Stage 3, one bad condition 

may warrant going to this alert level.

BLM, USFS, NPS

Emergency Notifications – Weather 

It is recommended that the agencies establish Interactive National Weather Service (iNWS) 

alerts. The iNWS push notifications are now the standard way to go for emergency responder 

notifications. It will send notifications to your device either by email or text about predicted 

damaging storm events. The National Weather Service will soon have the fire perimeter from 

GeoMac and will setup the watch box. Any cell phone within the watchbox will get a reverse 

911 notification during a warning event. To set up the alert use the following link: 

https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/

The NWS 24-hour phone number is 916-979-3049. The NWS will need the Whiskeytown 

dispatch 24-hour number for redundancy. You may contact Cindy Matthews at the NWS 

directly with questions. 

Cindy Matthews

Senior Service Hydrologist 

National Weather Service

3310 El Camino Ave, Suite 228 

Sacramento, CA 95821 

(916) 979-3041 Ext 228 

CONSULTATIONS

Brian Rasmussen, Whiskeytown NRA Geologist 

Morgan Rau, Whiskeytown NRA Wastewater Operator

Jennifer Gibson, Whiskeytown NRA Ecologist 

Dominique Brough, BLM Geologist 

Cindy Matthews, NWS Senior Hydrologist 

Brad Rust, Shasta-Trinity National Forest Soil Scientist

REFERENCES

Beschta, Robert L. 1990. Effects of Fire on Water Quantity and Quality. Pages 219-232 in: J.D. 

Walstad, S.R. Radosvich, and D.V. Sandberg, eds. Natural and prescribed fire in Pacific 

Northwest forests. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. 

Earl, Stevan R., and Blinn Dean W. 2003. Effects of Wildfire Ash on Water Chemistry and Biota 

in Southwestern USA Streams. Freshwater Biology, Vol. 48, pages 1015-1030. 

33
Fraticelli, L. A., Albers, J. P., Irwin, W. P., Blake, Jr, M. C. and C. M. Wentworth. 2012. 

Digital Geologic Map of the Redding 1o x 2o Quadrangle, Shasta, Tehama, Humboldt, and 

Trinity Counties, California. Open-File Report 2012-1228. Department of the Interior. U.S. 

Geological Survey. 19pp + map sheet. 

Gresswell, Robert E. 1999. Fire and Aquatic Ecosystems in Forested Biomes of North America. 

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, Vol. 128, No. 2: 193-221. American Fisheries 

Society, Bethesda, MD.

Gusman, A.J., Teal, M.J., Todesco, D. and M. Bandurraga. 2011. Sediment/Debris Bulking 

Factors and Post-Fire Hydrology for Ventura County. Final Report, WEST Consultants Inc., San 

Diego, California. 

Hudak, A.T., P.R. Robichaud, J.S. Evans, J. Clark, K. Lannom, P. Morgan, and C. Stone, 2004. 

Field Validation of Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) Products for Post Fire 

Assessment. In: Greer, Jerry Dean, ed. Remote sensing for field users; proceedings of the tenth 

Forest Service remote sensing applications conference; 2004 April 5–9; Salt Lake City, UT. 

Bethesda, MD: American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. CD-ROM

Iverson, R.M. 1997. The Physics of Debris Flows. Reviews of Geophysics 35(3):245-296. 

Kean, J.W., McGuire, L.A., Rengers, F.K., Smith, J.B., and D.M. Staley. 2016. Amplification of 

postwildfire peak flow by debris. Geophysical Research Letters, 43: 8545-8553. 

Kinoshita, A.M.; Hogue, T.S.; Napper, C. 2014. Evaluating pre- and post-fire peak discharge 

predictions across western U.S. watersheds. Journal of the American Water Resources 

Association 50: 1540-1557. 

Lapierre, H., Albarede, F., Albers, J., Cabanis, B., and C. Coulon. 1985. Early Devonian 

volcanism in the eastern Klamath Mountains, California: evidence for an immature island arc. 

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 22: 214-227. 

Lathrop, Richard G. 1994. Impacts of the 1988 Wildfires on the Water Quality of Yellowstone 

and Lewis Lakes, Wyoming. International Journal of Wildland Fire, Vol. 4, No. 3, pages 169-175. 

McMahon, Thomas E. and D.S. deCalesta. 1990. Effects of Fire on Fish and Wildlife. Pages 

233-250 in: J.D. Walstad, S.R. Radosvich, and D.V. Sandberg, eds. Natural and Prescribed Fire 

in Pacific Northwest Forests. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. 

Minshall, Wayne G., James T. Brock, and John D. Varley. 1989. Wildfires and the Yellowstone’s 

Stream Ecosystems. Bioscience Vol. 39: 707-715. 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 2014a. Final Recovery Plan for the Southern 

Oregon/Northern California Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit of Coho Salmon 

(Oncorhynchus kisutch). National Marine Fisheries Service. Arcata, CA.

34
National Marine Fisheries Service. 2014b. Recovery Plan for the Evolutionarily Significant 

Units of Sacramento River Winter-run Chinook Salmon and Central Valley Spring-run Chinook 

Salmon and the Distinct Population Segment of California Central Valley Steelhead. California 

Central Valley Area Office. July 2014.

Parson, A., Robichaud, P.R., Lewis, S.A., Napper, C., and Clark, J.T., 2010. Field guide for 

mapping post-fire soil burn severity. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-243. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 49 p. 

Reiman, Bruce and Jim Clayton. 1997. Wildfire and Native Fish: Issues of Forest Health and 

Conservation of Sensitive Species. Fisheries Vol. 22, No. 11: 6-15. American Fisheries Society, 

Bethesda, MD.

Reiman, Bruce, Danny Lee, Gwynne Chandler, and Deborah Myers. 1997. Does Wildfire 

Threaten Extinction for Salmonids? Responses of Redband Trout and Bull Trout Following 

Recent Large Fires on the Boise National Forest. Pages 47-57 in: Proceedings – Fire Effects on 

Rare and Endangered Species and Habitats Conference, Coeur d’ Alene, ID. International 

Association of Wildland Fire, Fairfield, WA. 

Robichaud, Peter R., Russell T. Graham, and Roger D. Hungerford. 1993. Onsite sediment 

production and nutrient losses from a low severity burn in the interior Northwest. Pages 227-232 

in: Baumgartner, D.M., J.E. Lotan, J.R. Tonn (compilers). Interior cedar-hemlock-whitepine 

forests: ecology and management: Proceedings; 1993 March; Spokane, WA. 

Robichaud, P. R.; Elliot, W. J.; Wagenbrenner, J. W. 2011. Probabilistic soil erosion modeling 

using the Erosion Risk Management Tool (ERMIT) after wildfires. ISELE Paper Number 11039. 

Paper presented at the international symposium on erosion and landscape evolution; September 

18-21, 2011; Anchorage, AK. ASABE Publication Number 711P0311cd. 8 p. 

Staley, D.M., Negri, J.A., Kean, J.W., Tillery, A.C., and A.M. Youberg. 2016. Updated logistic

regression equations for the calculation of post-fire debris-flow likelihood in the western United 

States: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1106, 13p., available at: 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2016/1106/ 

DOI National Interagency Watershed Team

Sam Flanagan, Geologist, BLM Arcata Field Office, CA 

Sidney Post, Hydrologist, BLM South River Resource Area, OR 

Allison Reddington, Hydrologist, Cherokee National Forest, TN 

Bill Sims, Soil Scientist, Bureau of Indian Affairs-Retired, NM

Rich Pyzik, Fish Biologist/Hydrology, Fremont-Winema National Forest, OR

35
BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION PLAN

CARR FIRE

CULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

I. OBJECTIVES

● Determine if known or incidentally encountered cultural resources within, adjacent to or 

downstream of the Carr Fire were damaged by the fire or are threatened by post-fire 

conditions. If applicable, prescribe emergency stabilization treatments to minimize, 

negate, or mitigate those impacts.

● Determine if any proposed emergency stabilization treatments for the 2018 Carr Fire 

have the potential to adversely impact cultural resources and, if so, prescribe actions to 

minimize, negate, or mitigate identified adverse effects to cultural resources to meet 

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requirements (NHPA).

● Meet all Federal cultural resources legal mandates and agency policies, including 

consultation with affiliated American Indian Tribes for the Carr Fire BAER assessments 

and emergency stabilization treatments.

II. ISSUES

● Numerous archaeological sites or historic structures on NPS, BLM and USFS lands are 

known to occur within or immediately adjacent to the Carr Fire. Many of these resources 

have National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) qualifying attributes that are subject to 

direct fire effects and/or are vulnerable to impacts caused by the post-fire environment. 

Cultural resource assessments need to be completed for these resources.

● Historic vegetation including the Camden House Historic District apple orchard and other 

ethnobotanical resources need to be assessed for condition and accessibility. 

● Many trees were burned or scorched during the 2018 Carr Fire within the fire area. These 

fire-killed trees can fall and directly impact cultural features, such as historical structures 

including the Crystal Creek Ditch and the Clear Creek Ditch, or uproot and expose 

cultural materials that were previously buried and potentially impacting the NRHP 

qualifying attributes of known significant cultural resources. 

● NPS and BLM lands affected by the 2018 Carr Fire are adjacent to public roads and 

established trail systems. The potential for unauthorized artifact collection, looting, and 

vandalism that can impact the NRHP qualifying attributes of known cultural resources is 

significantly increased with the loss of vegetative cover.

● Other proposed emergency stabilization treatments may be implemented for public 

safety, preservation of agency infrastructure, or protection of natural resource values. 

These treatments may have the potential to impact known sensitive cultural resources 

especially if ground disturbing activities are required. 

36
III. OBSERVATIONS

A. Background 

This cultural resource assessment was completed to determine if post-fire conditions pose 

a risk to cultural resource values. The identification of cultural resource values at risk 

includes completing a cultural resources data records search for the fire area, consulting 

with agency cultural resources personnel, and conducting field assessments. Not all 

values initially identified during the records search were determined to be at risk. Where 

emergency conditions have the potential to affect known cultural resources, treatment 

prescriptions are developed to protect the values at risk. This includes evaluation of direct 

fire impacts on known resources and evaluating potential post-fire impacts within burned 

areas. The most significant factor leading to post-fire risk is loss of ground cover, which 

exposes artifacts to looters and leads to increased erosion and deposition as a result of 

decreased infiltration, increased runoff, and increased exposure to wind. 

Cultural resources within the fire area span the range of known human occupation in the 

northern Sacramento Valley and adjoining Klamath Mountains extending back eight to 

ten thousand years. Prehistoric sites extend from these early periods to Euro-American 

contact shortly before the beginning of the California Gold Rush. Much of the history in 

the fire area is directly related to mining including the placer, hydraulic, and hard-rock 

mining phases. The timber industry, travel and commerce, and ranching also played a 

role in the development of the area. 

Prehistoric sites found in the fire area include artifact scatters representing early nomadic 

campsites, developed resource extraction/collection locations, and large permanent 

habitation sites. Features can include bedrock grinding features, house pit depressions 

and midden deposits, stacked rock features or alignments, or rock art. Historic sites can 

include mine shafts/adits and prospecting features, buildings/ruins, foundations, roads, 

fence lines, and trash/debris scatters. Both the NPS and BLM have several overview or 

survey reports on file that summarize historical and archaeological information for the 

fire area.

B. Resource Identification and Assessment Methods

Field assessments of known cultural resources located on NPS and BLM lands within the 

Carr Fire area affected by the fire and subject to post-fire threats were performed by the 

DOI BAER Team archaeologists and historical architect from August 13-22, 2018. The 

assessments were completed by National DOI BAER team Archeologists Carla Burnside, 

Joseph Svinarich, Devin Snyder, NPS Archaeologist Michael Peterson, BLM 

Archaeologist Eric Ritter, BLM Archaeologist Alden Neel, and NPS Historical Architect 

Ashley Phillips. Cultural resource assessments for the fire included examination of fire 

37
and cultural resource data to identify resources most likely to be threatened by the fire, 

and completion of field assessments for significant sites that were easily accessible and in 

non-hazardous areas of the fire. However, given the large quantity of cultural resources 

under NPS and BLM jurisdiction within the fire area, and limited time allowed for 

developing the BAER plan, only a limited number of cultural features and archaeological 

sites were assessed.

Field assessments of known cultural resources located on USFS lands within the Carr 

Fire area affected by the fire and subject to post-fire threats are being assessed at the time 

of this plan by DOI BAER Team archaeologists for 12 archaeological sites. 

Recommendations for stabilization treatments will be transmitted to the USFS for use in 

USFS Form 2508. 

Record searches of archaeological records and historical information were conducted, 

and cultural resources located within the area affected by the fire were ranked based on 

site significance and potential for fire related impacts. Examination of known cultural 

resources in relation to the fire areas and in burned watersheds were completed to 

determine if sites were likely to have burned over or if there was a threat of erosion due 

to burned areas on steep slopes above identified cultural resources. However, given the 

large quantity of cultural resources within the fire area, and limited time allowed for 

developing the BAER plan, only a limited number of cultural features and archaeological 

sites were assessed in the field. These were chosen based on the results of a geo-spatial 

risk assessment and consideration of site significance. Documentation methods for 

completed field assessments included field notes and completion of BAER cultural 

resources assessment forms, digital photo documentation, and collection of GPS location 

data.

The risk assessment used to develop the priority ranking for field site assessments 

consisted of geospatial analysis using ArcGIS to intersect archaeological site locations 

with three classes (low, moderate, high) of burn severity data derived from the Burned 

Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) for the fire area. Predicted watershed response 

following storms at the 10 year return interval was also developed by the BAER Team 

using the best available data within the time constraints allowed for developing this plan. 

This data was also used to intersect locations of known archaeological sites and historical 

structures within the fire area. All cultural resources were also visually examined with 

regard to topographic setting and proximity to major stream channels. The results of these 

geospatial analyses were combined into a matrix to develop a risk assessment chart for 

known cultural resources located within the fire area (Table 1). Documentation for 

cultural resources determined to be at highest risk was used to priority rank these 

resource values at risk for field assessment completion.

38
The risk for direct fire impacts to cultural resources is significant within the fire area as 

defined by the burn severity model and the high proportion of cultural resources located 

within moderate or high burn severity burn areas. Review of analysis results show many 

cultural resource sites on NPS and BLM lands were subject to direct fire effects and will 

most likely be impacted by the post-burn watershed response. Sites that are most likely 

directly affected by the fire include 99 NPS sites (54%) and 230 BLM sites (55%) located 

within areas that burned at higher intensities. Of these, 48 NPS sites (or 26%) and 77 

BLM sites (18%) may be subject to an above normal watershed response and associated 

potential for erosion or sedimentation impacts. 

Table 1. Summary of site by Burn Severity and Watershed Response for NPS sites

Watershed Response 

for a 10-yr event

Unburned Low Burn 

Severity

Moderate Burn 

Severity

High Burn 

Severity TOTAL

Normal 17 12 28 0 57

Low 0 30 23 0 53

Moderate 0 20 32 1 53

High 0 4 14 1 19

TOTAL 17 66 97 2 182

Table 2. Summary of site by Burn Severity and Watershed Response for BLM sites

Watershed Response 

for a 10-yr event

Unburned Low Burn 

Severity

Moderate Burn 

Severity

High Burn 

Severity TOTAL

Normal 1 42 40 0 83

Low 3 114 102 1 220

Moderate 0 32 51 1 84

High 0 9 21 4 34

TOTAL 4 197 214 6 421

The nature of the resource and accessibility was also considered in conjunction with the 

geospatial cultural resource site risk assessment and included consultation with local 

agency office cultural resource staff to identify specific resources of concern. Flammable 

historical structures are often found within historic period mining or habitation sites. 

Some archaeological sites and historic period features are inherently more susceptible to 

fire damage, or include components that make them NRHP eligible and can be affected 

39
by fire. Low intensity fire can also remove light surface fuel cover exposing artifacts 

desirable to collectors. Unauthorized artifact collection and looting is a very real concern 

for the NPS and BLM. These activities are known to occur within the region and have 

been identified by the respective agencies as a potential post-fire threat. Readily 

accessible sites along roads and trails are at greater risk for looting due to post-fire 

conditions with significant or total vegetation loss at sites. Cultural resources that are 

more susceptible to fire effects or are in readily accessible located in areas of low burn 

severity were also identified for assessment. 

Completed field assessments were based upon a prioritized list of cultural resources 

identified as at risk based upon the geospatial analysis, fire or looting susceptibility, and 

specific resources of concern identified by local agency staff. The prioritized work was 

completed by examining fire and cultural resource data to identify resources most likely 

to be impacted by the fire and/or post-fire conditions, and completion of field 

assessments for significant sites that were easily accessible and in non-hazardous areas of 

the fire. These were limited by time constraints and many site assessments remain to be 

completed by local agency staff. Given the number of cultural resources under NPS/BLM 

jurisdiction within the fire area, logistical issues or restricted access to some areas due to 

fire-related hazards, and limited time allowed for developing the BAER plan, only 57 site 

assessments were completed by the BAER Team.

C. Findings

The field assessments were based upon a prioritized list of cultural resources identified as 

at risk. These included historic structures with wooden components and sensitive 

prehistoric sites, such as rock art sites and sites located near heavy visitor use areas. The 

prioritized work was completed by examining fire and cultural resource data to identify 

resources most likely to be impacted by the fire and/or post-fire conditions, and 

completion of initial field assessments for significant sites that were easily accessible and 

in nonhazardous areas of the fire. However, given the number of cultural resources within 

the fire area and restricted access to some areas due to fire-related hazards, many 

archaeological site assessments remain to be completed.

Fifty-seven (57) cultural sites and/or historic features were inspected for fire related 

damage and assessed for threat of impacts resulting from the post-fire environment. 

Examination of the Whiskeytown NRA archaeological data indicates that 87 

additional cultural sites and/or features located within either the burned area (or in close 

proximity to the mapped fire perimeter) or at the 

where erosion and/or sedimentation pose a serious threat, remain to be 

assessed. In addition, a review of the BLM cultural resource data indicates that an 

40
additional 61 BLM managed archaeological sites require post-fire condition assessments 

because of their location in high risk areas associated with the fire. 

Impacts resulting from the fire and post-fire environmental threats were noted for all of 

the cultural sites and features during the initial assessments, and treatments were defined 

for the same. Impacts to cultural resources as a result of fire, fire management actions, 

and post-fire conditions can be conveniently divided into three categories: direct, 

operational, and indirect. Direct impacts are those caused by the wildland fire itself or its 

byproducts (e.g., smoke); operational impacts are caused by fire management actions 

made in response to wildland fires (e.g., fire line construction, retardant drops); and 

indirect impacts occur as a result of fire-induced changes to the context in which cultural 

resources are found (e.g., erosion due to loss of vegetation cover, toppling of fire-killed 

trees, and looting). Operational impacts to cultural resources are identified, assessed and 

mitigated as part of fire suppression activity damage repair and funded from the fire 

emergency suppression account. 

Indirect impacts of the greatest concern within the Carr Fire include erosion, fire-killed 

hazard trees, and looting or vandalism resulting from the post-fire exposure of artifacts. 

This includes incremental sediment loss and deposition, as well as catastrophic events 

such as debris flows. Onsite and upslope post-fire vegetation conditions influence erosion 

potential affecting resources at the bottom of burned watersheds. Fire-killed trees that fall 

can affect cultural resources if they impact cultural features or cause ground disturbance 

through impact and uprooting. Loss of vegetative cover due to fire can expose cultural 

features and surface artifacts that may be collected by uneducated visitors or vandalized 

by unscrupulous looters in these burned areas. 

Slope and Erosion Potential 

Many archaeological sites are located in areas that warrant field assessments to determine 

actual on-site erosion threats. Soil destabilization resulting in erosion of cultural features, 

deposition on site features or artifact concentrations due to vegetation loss and steep 

slopes presents a very real concern for NRHP listed or eligible sites within the NPS, 

BLM and USFS jurisdictions. As determined by the geospatial risk assessment the more 

significant resources located within the fire affected area are at greatest risk from erosion, 

flooding, or debris flows. Results of the hydrologic assessment of watersheds indicate 

erosion from fluvial and colluvial flows is a significant concern for preserving the 

integrity of archaeological sites and cultural landscape features within the fire area. Some 

factors affecting the amount of erosion at sites include burn severity, slope, geology, 

amount of vegetation loss, and the geographic position of particular sites across the 

landscape. 

41
Cultural resources located on or below steep slopes are subject to increased precipitation 

runoff and/or surficial erosion from direct rain during heavy rainfall events that can erode 

archaeological sites or historic features. Sites located in the southwestern portion of the 

burn where biotite and hornblende biotite granodiorite of the Shasta Bally Batholith 

(Lower Cretaceous) is prominent (Thornberry 2007) are at the highest risk of eroding 

because of the hydrophobic soils which increase water repellency, surface runoff and 

erosion. These above factors combined with a total loss of vegetation and the geographic 

location of some sites (e.g. at confluences, on ridges, or at the edges of drainages) will 

exponentially increase the chance of major fluvial and colluvial erosion at post-burn sites. 

Of particular concern is the historic Crystal Creek Ditch, a popular trail and operational 

water conveyance system that contributes to the Camden House Historic District Cultural 

Landscape. The multi-component system includes an earthen ditch and berm, metal 

flumes, an inverted siphon, concrete intake and weir, wooden water storage tank, cleanout shed, and a hiking trail that follows the top of the berm and then transitions to a 

narrow boardwalk along the metal flume portion of the trail. The ditch and trail runs 

along a moderately steep slope that saw a high burn severity resulting in dozens of stump 

holes and denuded slopes. A likely cause of erosion is from water collecting in stump 

holes and causing blowouts above, atop, and below the ditch; resulting in the collapse of 

the ditch and berm. These same impacts can be expected at other historic ditches in the 

fire area.

Other significant concerns include dry laid stone walls at multiple archeological sites and 

at the El Dorado Mine Historic District Cultural Landscape. Some walls at El Dorado had 

previously shown signs of deterioration as encroaching vegetation and erosion threatened 

stability. Post-fire, upslopes denuded of vegetation and woody debris have increased the 

risk of stone wall instability and collapse. Loose soils have already begun to migrate over 

the stone walls, and additional sheet or rill erosion will lead to increased destabilization. 

Emergency stabilization includes adding sandbags to reinforce threatened retaining walls 

and redirecting debris flows through directional tree falling. Resources along waterways, 

such as historic bridge piers and the Crystal Creek Ditch intake structure should be 

monitored after heavy or prolonged rain events to assess potential debris collection or 

undercutting. 

Fire-Damaged, Fire-Killed Trees and Woody Debris

Archaeological sites with fire-killed trees located on or near site features such as the 

Crystal Creek Ditch, hand-stacked retaining walls, historical structures, prehistoric sites, 

or within recorded artifact concentration areas need to be assessed. These trees will 

eventually fall, further disrupting site features and may pull up root balls that will impact 

and expose subsurface archaeological deposits. Completed field site assessments have 

42
demonstrated that most of the fire area has fire-damaged trees. Tree mortality is 

significant for the Carr Fire and fire-killed hazard trees abound within the fire area. 

Numerous fire-killed hazard trees were identified at cultural resource sites during the 

initial BAER assessment that will need to be removed to protect site features and 

archaeological deposits from tree fall and uprooting trees. In addition, these hazard trees 

pose a significant threat to workers conducting other emergency stabilization activities.

Dozens of fire-killed trees are noted along the historic Crystal Creek Ditch, which can 

potentially damage the resource, and place visitors at risk. During the assessment, it was 

observed that many fire-killed trees upslope from the ditch have a high potential of 

falling into the ditch or berm, damaging the integrity of the ditch system. Trees have 

already fallen onto the metal flume and boardwalk portion of the ditch, and woody debris 

has begun to migrate downslope and collect in the ditch causing further damage to 

integrity and operability. 

The Stone House on NPS lands, is managed as an archaeological resource and associated 

with early mining in the area, was also damaged by a fire-killed tree. The impact 

dislodged stones from the top stone coursing and caused a retaining wall to separate from 

the structure. Additionally, the tree landed on the foundations of another structure, 

causing unknown damage. Hazard trees located behind and uphill of the stone house pose 

further risks to the structure if not removed. 

Fire-killed trees will tend to topple at archeological sites located along watercourses 

where secondary gravels are abundant and limited. Archeological sites within channeled 

topographic corridors creating higher wind speeds, coupled with locations next to 

watercourses, further increases the chance that fire-killed trees will uproot and disturb 

intact archeological deposits these particular sites. One site located 

on NPS managed lands was assessed by the BAER Team and a toppled 

fire-killed tree was noted with exposed archeological deposits and covering a portion of a 

historic architectural feature. This illustrates the need to reduce future adverse effects of 

fire-killed trees at other archaeological sites and historic properties within the burn area. 

Potential Looting of Archaeological Sites

Field examination of archaeological sites and cultural features during the initial post-fire 

assessment revealed the potential for unauthorized artifact collecting and/or looting. 

Much of these areas were characterized by dense stands of shrub vegetation and pine or 

oak trees, or grasses before the fire. Easy access resulting from 

 with the loss of vegetative ground cover has elevated the post-burn 

probability of illegal artifact collecting or looting. Loss of vegetation providing ground 

surface cover has clearly revealed cultural material in these readily accessible areas. 

43
Integrity of the archaeological deposits represents the most significant attribute for NRHP 

eligibility for site data potential. 

Increased patrols and archaeological site monitoring are recommended to address these 

potential illegal artifact collecting and looting concerns. Proposed exclusionary fencing

and signing will provide some degree of protection, but there is no guarantee that artifact 

hunters will honor the area closure and may in fact see it as an opportunity to collect 

artifacts without worry of being seen. Using Tribal Cultural Resource Monitors to 

periodically monitor archaeological sites is a proposed method to deter and or report 

Archeological Resource Protection Act violations. 

Direct Fire Impacts to Cultural Features

Fire can directly affect cultural resources by damaging or altering elements or attributes 

of cultural materials that make them significant (Buenger 2003; Klemic 2005). Fire 

intensity and burn severity vary with fuel type and fuel loading, with greater burn 

severity occurring in areas with heavier fuel loading (Hanes 2001; Winthrop 2004). 

While fire intensity and burn severity generally increase with heavier fuel loads, fuel 

arrangement plays a significant role in fire behavior as the presence or absence of ladder 

and intermediary fuels will allow or prevent fire from entering the tree crowns or igniting 

large heavy fuels (Deal 2002). In some instances, sites can be protected during wildfires 

by removing the ladder and intermediary fuels. 

Although many prehistoric sites consist primarily of flaked or ground-stone artifacts, 

some include features that can be directly affected by fire including midden soils or rock 

art. In addition, some sites are valued as significant ethnographic locations by 

contemporary tribes. 

Four National Register listed structures were destroyed by fire. Other destroyed or 

damaged structures, including three remote cabins, several NPS administrative buildings, 

and multiple historic mining-related structures, are managed as archaeological resources 

or did not have a determination of eligibility. Due to the rapid spread and extreme 

behavior of the fire, firefighters were unable to provide protective measures to remote or 

not-easily accessed structures, and many park and BLM structures suffered complete 

timber incineration. Other historic structures easily accessible from major roadways, like 

the Camden House, were saved by firefighter efforts.

NPS Fire Destroyed Structures Designation Number

El Dorado Mine Stamp Mill

El Dorado Mine Equipment Shed

Crystal Creek Ditch Clean-Out Shed

 Cabin

44
Mining Site Shed

Ground-Disturbing Emergency Stabilization Treatments

Proposed treatments for emergency stabilization were discussed with the BAER Team 

during daily team meetings. Treatments with the potential to impact known cultural 

resources are subject to federal regulatory evaluation (36CFR800) to ensure identified 

impacts will have minimal effect on historic properties. This includes cleaning culverts, 

removal of campground infrastructure from within archaeological sites or near cultural 

features, and removal/replacement of bridges and culverts or other roadwork. For all 

these treatments archaeological monitoring may ensure appropriate preventative 

measures are observed to avoid impacts to known cultural sites and features when 

initiating ground disturbing activities. However, for all proposed activities with the 

potential to impact historic properties, including those proposed to stabilize historical 

resources or prehistoric sites, the agency must meet the regulatory requirements under 

NHPA, Section 106. 

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Emergency Stabilization

Emergency stabilization (BAER) funds are used to assess and, if necessary, mitigate the 

direct effect of fire and related indirect impacts such as erosion and hazard trees, as well 

as identify and mitigate resources that could be affected by emergency stabilization 

treatments (e.g., ground-disturbing activities). Treatment recommendations include both 

emergency stabilization specifications that are eligible for funding under BAER and nonspecification management recommendations intended to meet general agency cultural 

resource management standards. The following emergency treatment specifications were 

developed following completion of fifty-seven (57) in-field site assessments and the 

results of a geospatial risk assessment which considered the fire area burn severity and 

modeled watershed response predictions for 10-year storm events. 

NPS Emergency Stabilizations 

NPS-6-ES (Historic Blacksmith Shop Stabilization): Wooden shoring installed on the 

Blacksmith Shop walls after the Motion Fire in 2014 have partially burned, resulting in 

insufficient bracing of the historic mud-mortared rock walls. This treatment will replace 

burned bracing members and cribbing, repair any damages to a French drain located 

behind the site, replace sand bags and wattles. This treatment will stabilize the walls until 

the park can develop and implement a permanent solution. 

45
NPS-7-ES (Historic El Dorado Mine Stabilization): The El Dorado Mine Historic 

District Cultural Landscape ( ) suffered a high burn severity, resulting in the 

destruction of two wooden buildings, a wooden retaining wall, and mine entrance 

framing. Fire-killed trees and denuded slopes pose a threat to historic retaining walls, and 

remaining mining equipment. This treatment will clear debris from burned structures, 

provide temporary shed-roof covers for historic mining equipment and artifacts, and 

buttress erosion-threatened retaining walls with sandbags. 

NPS-8-ES (Historic Redwood Tank Dismantle and Storage): The Crystal Creek Ditch 

Water Storage Tank, an integral component of the Crystal Creek Ditch water conveyance 

system was burned during the fire. The extant staves and floorboard do not retain enough 

structural integrity to be reused, and it is recommended the remnants be removed and 

disposed of, and that original metal hardware is placed in storage for a future 

reconstruction project. A temporary water tank will be placed at the site to provide water 

for the historic apple orchard. 

NPS-9-ES (Historic Stone House Stabilization): A fire-killed tree damaged a small stone 

and concrete building that is associated with local mining history. The impact dislodged 

multiple stones from the top course of the front wall and caused an adjoining retaining 

wall to disconnect from the structure. Stabilization treatment will include removing the 

tree from the site and assessing additional damage to features beneath it, and constructing 

a wooden brace support for the retaining wall.

NPS-10-ES (Archaeological Site Protection Patrols): Loss of vegetative cover due to the 

Carr Fire has left a large number of potentially vulnerable cultural resources that may be 

subject to unauthorized artifact collecting or looting of recently exposed artifacts and 

cultural features. This treatment is intended to preserve the data potential of at risk 

archaeological sites and provide protection from unauthorized artifact collecting and 

looting. Cultural resource site protection is to preserve NHPA qualifying site 

characteristics of data potential inherent in artifacts and artifact location (36CFR60). This 

treatment will include site monitoring and documentation of cultural artifacts and features 

exposed following the fire per NPS standards/policy. Archaeological sites and individual 

artifacts under federal jurisdiction are protected under the Archaeological Resources 

Protection Act (ARPA) and for sites with human burials under Native American Graves 

Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Increased site surveillance in the fire area is 

intended to deter looting and illegal artifact collection.

The site protection patrols will be completed by NPS employees and cooperating 

partners, including Certified Tribal Monitors, who will report any illegal activity or 

evidence thereof to the Cultural Resource staff who notify park Law Enforcement 

personnel. GPS data, digital photographs, and field inspection notes will be collected as 

46
needed to prepare legal cases against perpetrators and compile a final report documenting 

activities and accomplishments completed for this treatment specification.

NPS-11-ES (Archaeological Site Condition Assessments): A total of potentially 

vulnerable cultural resources were identified within the Carr Fire area on NPS lands. 

These need to be assessed for susceptibility to looting, erosional effects, and other fire 

related impacts to determine any needed emergency stabilization treatment. The large 

number of potentially vulnerable cultural resources dictated that not all assessments could 

be completed prior to completion of the BAER plan. 

 The assessment will follow the protocol established 

for the BAER planning and assessment phase, including documenting post-burn 

observations and photographic recordation of resource condition and threats. 

Completing the assessment process will consist of compiling, processing, and archiving 

field data to include GPS data, digital photographs, and field inspection notes to prepare 

an accomplishments report including an analysis of field methods and results and 

summarize the treatment specification success. These activities will be performed by NPS 

archeologists.

NPS-12-ES (Historic Crystal Creek Ditch Stabilization): A cultural resource 

investigation of the Crystal Creek Ditch (a contributing element of the Camden House 

Historic District) was conducted during the initial BAER planning and assessment 

process for the 2018 Carr Fire. Findings indicate that components of this historic property 

were severely impacted by the fire and are at risk of failing and will be adversely affected 

by erosion and other weathering processes. 

To return the ditch to a functional state, this specification includes four components: 1) 

Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees within 15 feet either side of the ditch; 2) Clear 

woody debris and minor amounts of sediment within the ditch deposited as a result of the 

fire; 3) Fill burned out stump holes and burned out root holes within the inboard and 

outboard edges of the earthen ditch structure; and 4) Repair steel cat-walk infrastructure 

damaged by fallen trees, replace burned cat-walk boards associated with the ditch’s 

flumes, reconstruct burned cross-culvert frames and support structures, and replace fire 

damaged bearings and other mechanical parts at the burned out clean-out shed for visitor 

safety and to prevent further degradation of the mechanical infrastructure. 

NPS-13-ES (Previously Assessed Historic Property Stabilization): The removal of 

hazard trees and repair of existing exclusionary fence will help to mitigate further 

damage to significant sites managed by Whiskeytown NRA. Fire-killed hazard trees pose 

a significant threat to project staff and cultural resources values in the post-fire 

environment. Falling trees can strike vulnerable structures or uproot exposing buried 

47
artifacts affecting integrity of features contributing to site significance or impacting 

artifact values providing data potential. These hazard trees also represent a risk to project 

staff conducting emergency stabilization work. These trees need to be identified by 

trained staff who can fall them under controlled conditions to remove the hazard. In some 

instances, the trees can be strategically dropped to reduce site access and surface 

visibility to reduce the threat of looting. Proactively cutting the trees also eliminates the 

potential for uprooting trees that may expose subsurface archaeological deposits. This 

work will need to be done in consultation with archaeological staff who can identify 

cultural resource values that require protection. In some cases, existing exclusionary 

fencing damaged by the fire will need to be replaced or repaired to maintain the pre-fire 

site protection.

This treatment will consist of three components: (1) Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees 

from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed hazard trees 

to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; (3) Repair existing 

exclusionary fencing surrounding sites to discourage access. On-site monitoring 

conducted during treatment will ensure that work is conducted to NPS standards. 

Monitoring efforts will additionally include photo documentation, field notes, and a 

report that will be prepared following the completion of stabilization efforts.

NPS-14-ES (Cultural Resource Compliance): Fund a GS-7 Archaeologist to complete 

Archaeological Site Condition Assessments (NPS-11-ES), Assessed Historic Property 

Stabilizations (NPS-13-ES), and Archaeological Site Protection Patrols (NPS-10-ES) and 

fulfill Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance activities associated with other 

specifications developed for treatments as a result of the Carr Fire.

NPS-26-ES (Post Condition Assessment Site Stabilizations): archaeological 

sites will have post-fire condition assessments conducted by NPS archaeologists as part 

of the Archaeological Site Condition Assessment Specification. Based on findings from 

assessments conducted during BAER field visits all sites will require at a minimum 

hazard tree removal or other site stabilization treatments.

This specification consists of three components: (1) Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees 

from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed hazard trees 

to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; and (3) Repair 

existing exclusionary fencing surrounding sites to discourage access. The GS-7 

Archaeologist (Specification NPS-14-ES) will coordinate with and monitor the work of 

the Fuels Crew at archaeological sites where these treatments are recommended.

48
BLM Emergency Stabilizations

BLM-1-ES (Archaeological Site Protection Patrols): Loss of vegetative cover due to the 

Carr Fire has left a large number of potentially vulnerable cultural resources that may be 

subject to unauthorized artifact collecting or looting of recently exposed artifacts and 

cultural features and ORV damage. This treatment is intended to preserve the data 

potential of at risk archaeological sites and provide protection from unauthorized artifact 

collecting and looting. Cultural resource site protection is to preserve NHPA qualifying 

site characteristics of data potential inherent in artifacts and artifact location (36CFR60). 

This treatment will include site monitoring and documentation of cultural artifacts and 

features exposed following the fire per BLM standards/policy. Archaeological sites and 

individual artifacts under federal jurisdiction are protected under the Archaeological 

Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and for sites with human burials under Native 

American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Increased site 

surveillance in the fire area is intended to deter looting and illegal artifact collection.

The site protection patrols will be completed by BLM employees and cooperating 

partners, including Certified Tribal Monitors, who will report any illegal activity or 

evidence thereof to BLM cultural resources staff who notify BLM law enforcement. GPS 

data, digital photographs, and field inspection notes will be collected as needed to prepare 

legal cases against perpetrators and compile a final report documenting activities and 

accomplishments completed for this treatment specification.

BLM-2-ES (Archaeological Site Condition Assessments): A total of 82 potentially 

vulnerable cultural resources were identified within the Carr Fire area on BLM lands. 

These need to be assessed for susceptibility to looting, erosional effects, and other fire 

related impacts to determine any needed emergency stabilization treatment. The large 

number of potentially vulnerable cultural resources dictated that not all assessments could 

be completed prior to completion of the BAER plan. Currently only 21 assessments have 

been completed and continuation of the cultural resources assessment process for the Carr 

Fire is needed for the remaining 61 sites. The assessment will follow the protocol 

established for the BAER planning and assessment phase, including documenting postburn observations and photographic recordation of resource condition and threats. 

Completing the assessment process will consist of compiling, processing, and archiving 

field data to include GPS data, digital photographs, and field inspection notes to prepare 

an accomplishments report including an analysis of field methods and results and 

summarize the treatment specification success. These activities will be performed by 

BLM archaeologists. 

BLM-3-ES (Previously Assessed Historic Property Stabilization): The removal of hazard 

trees and repair of existing exclusionary fence will help to mitigate further damage to 

49
significant sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Redding Field 

Office. Fire-killed hazard trees pose a significant threat to project staff and cultural 

resources values in the post-fire environment. Falling trees can strike vulnerable 

structures or uproot exposing buried artifacts affecting integrity of features contributing 

to site significance or impacting artifact values providing data potential. These hazard 

trees also represent a risk to project staff conducting emergency stabilization work. These 

trees need to be identified by trained staff who can fall them under controlled conditions 

to remove the hazard. In some instances, the trees can be strategically dropped to reduce 

site access and surface visibility to reduce the threat of looting. Proactively cutting the 

trees also eliminates the potential for uprooting trees that may expose subsurface 

archaeological deposits. This work will need to be done in consultation with 

archaeological staff who can identify cultural resource values that require protection. In 

some cases, existing exclusionary fencing damaged by the fire will need to be replaced or 

repaired to maintain the pre-fire site protection.

This treatment will consist of three components: (1) Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees 

from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed hazard trees 

to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; (3) Repair existing 

exclusionary fencing surrounding and signage at sites to discourage access. On-site 

monitoring conducted during treatment will ensure that work is conducted to the 

standards of BLM Redding Field Office archaeology staff. Monitoring efforts will 

additionally include photo documentation, field notes, and a report that will be prepared 

following the completion of stabilization efforts.

BLM-4-ES (Kett Ethnographic Site Stabilization): Stabilize post-fire effects at the Kett 

Site (CA-SHA-491, CA-030-008) also known as the ethnographic Wintu “resting place 

(Phu-rus-topi)” or No-Sai. The site contains extensive midden deposits, and at least eight 

housepit features. Hazard trees, destroyed split rail exclusionary fencing, increased access 

potential, and increased site surface visibility put the site at further risk of damage and 

disturbance should treatment measures not be undertaken. All proposed on-site 

treatments should be undertaken after consultation with the Wintu Tribe has been 

completed, particularly the replacement of existing on-site signage. 

This treatment will consist of four components: (1) Fire killed hazard trees within or 

adjacent to site boundaries, particularly near housepit features at the center of the site, the 

designated burial area to the southeast, and along access routes to the north of the site 

where unauthorized OHV access is most likely to occur. (2) Reconstruct existing 

exclusionary split rail fencing surrounding the burial area within the footprint of the 

previous fence line. Fence line measures 42 feet (east-west) by 45 feet (north-south) and 

encompasses the known extent of the burial area. (3) Chip, lop and scatter, or 

directionally fall hazard trees as appropriate. Lop and scatter and/or chipping should 

occur within the site boundary on exposed surface soils. Directional falling should take 

50
place along the northwestern extent of the site along the two-track access road so that 

trees may be placed perpendicular to the road. (4) Replace signage at previous location 

using original posts; this is dependent on the outcome of consultation efforts with the 

Wintu Tribe. 

BLM-5-ES (Charlie Brownstein Grave Stabilization): Stabilize post-fire effects at the 

Charley Brownstein Gravesite (CA-030-367). The gravesite is a highly visible, historic 

(1864) period infant burial, located on BLM land, that represents the last evident 

gravesite of the Shasta Hebrew Congregation Jewish Cemetery established in 1857. Fire 

killed hazard trees threaten to impact the site and pose a risk to the individuals who visit 

the gravesite. Footpath erosion also poses a risk to the gravesite and the pedestrians who 

utilize it. The removal of hazard trees, reconstruction of footpath handrail, steps, and 

railroad tie border, and construction of a French drain at the base of the stairs and slope 

will help to mitigate further damage to a significant site managed by the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) Redding Field Office. 

BLM-6-ES (Cultural Resource Compliance): Fund a GS-7 Archaeologist to complete 

Archaeological Site Condition Assessments (BLM-2-ES), Assessed Historic Property 

Stabilizations (BLM-3-ES), and Archaeological Site Protection Patrols (BLM-1-ES) and 

will fulfill Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance activities associated with other 

specifications developed for treatments as a result of the Carr Fire.

BLM-20-ES (Post Condition Assessment Site Stabilizations): Sixty-one archaeological 

sites will have post-fire condition assessments conducted by BLM archaeologists as part 

of the Archaeological Site Condition Assessment Specification. Based on findings from 

assessments conducted during BAER field visits all sites will require at a minimum 

hazard tree removal or other site stabilization treatments.

This specification consists of three components: (1) Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees 

from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed hazard trees 

to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; and (3) Repair 

existing exclusionary fencing surrounding sites to discourage access and signage as 

needed. The GS-7 Archaeologist (Specification BLM-6-ES) will coordinate with and 

monitor the work of the Fuels Crew at archaeological sites where these treatments are 

recommended.

USFS Emergency Stabilizations

Recommendations for post-fire stabilization at sites assessed by DOI BAER team 

archaeologists will be provided to the USFS for inclusion in USFS Form-2508 after 

completion of site assessments.

51
B. Management Recommendations - (Non-Specification Related)

Visual Impacts to Cultural Landscapes 

Fire impacts to the Camden House Historic District Cultural Landscape have damaged 

contributing features and altered the viewshed of the site. When feasible, the park should 

replace burned or damaged segments of picket and field fencing, and remove melted 

irrigation lines and abandoned and melted fire hose. 

Blacksmith Shop Wall 

Emergency specifications for stabilization are a temporary measure. The park should 

consult with a historical architect, or other preservation professional, to develop a 

permanent stabilization plan for the ruin. 

Newly Exposed Site Features on Previously Recorded Sites 

Following vegetation loss due to the Carr Fire many historic features and areas of artifact 

scatter were noted during the initial BAER assessment. In some cases, such as in 

 the extent of new features is extraordinary and appears to link 

two previously recorded sites and includes a significantly larger site area with numerous 

new features, connecting road and trail system. These areas should be recorded to 

NPS/BLM standards to meet NPS responsibilities for management of cultural resources. 

Newly Exposed Archaeological Resources

Extensive removal of vegetation provides an opportunity to conduct Section 110 surveys 

on agency lands within the fire perimeter. These surveys should be conducted within the 

first year post-fire before shrubs regrow and obscure artifacts and features. 

V. CONSULTATIONS

A. Agencies

● Glendee Ane Osborne, Cultural Resources Program Manager, Whiskeytown 

National Recreation Area

● Eric Ritter, Cultural Resources Program Manager, BLM Redding Field Office

● Alden Neel, Archaeologist, BLM Redding Field Office

● Jason Judd, Maintenance Staff, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

● Matt Padilla, Heritage Resources Manager, Shasta-Trinity National Forest

52
B. SHPO

The National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest 

Service will continue to conduct consultations with the California SHPO for 

proposed treatments identified in this plan.

C. TRIBES

The National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest 

Service will conduct consultations with the affected Tribes for proposed 

treatments identified in this plan

REFERENCES

Buenger, Brent A. 2003. The Impact of Wildland and Prescribed Fire on Archaeological 

Resources. Phd Dissertation, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 

Deal, Krista. 2002. Fire Effects Studies on the Eldorado National Forest. Society for 

California Archaeology Newsletter 36 (2). 

Hanes, Richard C. 2001. Chapter VIII - Cultural Resources. In the Fire Effects Guide 

(NFES 2394) by the National Wildlife Coordinating Group, National Interagency Fire 

Center, Boise ID.

Klemic, Katherine G. 2005. Cultural Resource Management and the Effects of Fire: 

Protecting Archaeological Sites on the Los Padres National Forest. Master’s Thesis, 

University of California, Santa Barbara.

Thornberry- Ehrlich, T. 2007. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Geologic Resource 

Evaluation Report. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR—2007/008. 

National Park Service, Denver, Colorado. 

Winthrop, Kate. 2004. Bare Bones Guide to Fire Effects on Cultural Resources for 

Cultural Resource Specialists. Bureau of Land Management. Washington, D.C. 

___________________________________________________________________________ 

Carla Burnside, Zone Archaeologist, USFWS, Spokane, Washington. 509-893-8007 

Michael R. Peterson, Archaeologist, NPS, Redwood National and State Park. 707-465-7717 

Ashley Phillips, Historical Architect, NPS, Lassen Volcanic National Park. 530-595-6181 

Devin Snyder, Archaeologist, BLM, Susanville Field Office, Alturus, CA. 530-233-7932 

Joseph Svinarich, NPS, Fire Program Archaeologist, Klamath Network. 530-638-6744 

53
ABANDONED MINE LANDS (AML) ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVES:

• Identify changes in condition of abandoned mine sites directly related to the Carr Fire

• Locate newly exposed mine hazard features that had previously been hidden by 

vegetation

• Identify sites that may see increased visitation due to the new access routes (dozer trails 

or previously hidden/overgrown roads)

METHODOLOGY: 

Due to the size of the Carr Fire and time constraints, not all AML sites in the burned area were 

able to be visited. Some sites were inaccessible due to road damage or fire suppression/repair 

activities. Sites visited were chosen based on their accessibility, public popularity, and 

recommendations from agency staff.

NPS SITES VISITED & SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS: 

El Dorado Mine & Mill*: The El Dorado is a popular visitor attraction at Whiskeytown. The 

site is . The stamp mill and equipment 

shed were burned during the fire and are covered in the cultural section of this report. The hill 

behind the El Dorado Mill was surveyed for mine features. 

Recommendations: Whiskeytown has already submitted a project to address . 

Although the two collapsed shafts have closed up, they could still pose a hazard and should be 

partially backfilled and/or fenced and signed indefinitely. 

N.E.E.D Camp: This site consists of two adits behind N.E.E.D. Camp. The first adit is secured 

with a locked metal door. The second adit has a bat gate that’s surrounded by a breached chain 

link fence. Neither feature was affected by the fire. 

Recommendations: None 

54
 This site consists of a single gated adit, 

 The site was unaffected by the fire and no new features were 

observed. 

Recommendations: None 

: A number of small sites were surveyed along . No changes 

in condition were observed and no new hazard features were found.

Recommendations: None 

: This site consists of 

several collapsed adits, a cement water tank, and a mill site ruin. The previously recorded 

features were unaffected by the fire and no new hazard features were observed.

Recommendations: None 

 . The site consists of one 

collapsed adit and a number of prospect pits. The mine features were not impacted by the fire 

and no new hazards were observed. 

Recommendations: None 

. It consists of four short, 

gated adits. All gates remain intact and no new features were observed.

Recommendations: None 

 

The site consists of multiple features, including several underground openings 

(open and collapsed) and a mill ruin. During the site visit a previous hidden adit was discovered 

.

Recommendations: The newly discovered adit 

. There appears to be a significant waste rock 

pile. The portal should be dug out and fitted with a bat gate or culvert gate.

55
 

 Bats were observed flying in and out of the upper adit and 

guano is visible inside the portal.

Recommendations: Both adits are dug into solid rock and have significant waste rock 

piles. They should be fitted with bat gates. 

 This site consists of a single open adit. It was reported, but not visited. 

Recommendations: NPS biologists should evaluate the site to see if it’s appropriate for 

a bat gate or culvert gate.

BLM SITES VISITED & SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS: 

French Gulch Road*: This site consists of four adits along the French Gulch road. One of the 

adits is at road level. The other three are along a ditch that runs directly above the lower adit. 

All four features are now much more visible from the road. The lower adit has evidence of 

visitation in the form of beer and soda cans. The three upper adits are all short and can be seen 

in their entirety from the portal. The largest of the three has approximately 25’ of workings.

Recommendations: People are entering the lower adit. The portal should be dug out 

and gated. The three upper adits are all relatively small. The two smallest can be ignored. The 

larger one could be closed with a PUF (polyurethane foam) plug.

Tom Green Mine: This site is located in Scorpion Gulch, off the Tom Green Mine road. At 

one time it was one of the more prominent mines in the area. Four of the five known adits are 

collapsed. The one gated adit was not visited. No changes in condition or new features were 

observed. 

Recommendations: None 

Summit Mine and Mill: The Summit Mine is located off the Tom Green Mine road and is 

semi-active. The site has a long history and there are remnants of structures and milling 

equipment from multiple eras. At one time there were several buildings and structures on site, 

but between the French and Carr fires, the only ones still standing are a modern cabin and a 

56
crude shade structure. The underground openings are all gated and unchanged by the fire. No 

new hazard features were observed.

Recommendations: The recently burned buildings should be evaluated for hazardous 

materials. 

Brunswick Mine: The Brunswick Mine is located at the end of the Summit Mine road. The 

mine cabin was destroyed in the Carr Fire. All known adits are collapsed and no new hazard 

features were observed.

Recommendations: The recently burned cabin should be evaluated for hazardous 

materials.

Kline Gulch*: There were three isolated features identified along the Kline Gulch Road. There 

are two open adits and an open vertical feature that is next to an old cabin foundation. It’s 

probably not a mining excavation, but is still hazardous and needs to be addressed.

Recommendations: The portal of adit #1should be dug out and gated. Adit #2 sits just 

below the edge of the road and appears to be dug into largely unconsolidated material that may 

be difficult to gate. A PUF plug or backfill may be more appropriate. The small vertical feature 

can easily be backfilled.

Clear Creek Road*: There were two isolated, open adits discovered along Clear Creek road, 

north of the town of French Gulch. One adit is large, has standing water, and had three 

Townsends big-eared bats roosting near the portal. The other adit was difficult to access due to 

recently downed trees. The portal is open, but filling with eroding material 

Recommendations: Adit #1 has solid rock and bats were observed roosting inside. It 

should be gated. It was difficult to get much of a look inside adit #2, but if the downed trees can 

be removed and the portal dug out, it may be a good candidate for a bat gate or culvert gate. 

Boswell Mine*: This site consists of mill ruins and a recently discovered adit. The adit is open 

and appears to have significant depth. 

Recommendations: The adit has competent rock and should be fitted with a bat gate. 

57
West Side Trails*: This is a lone vertical shaft discovered less than 30’ from the West Side 

Trail. The shaft bottom isn’t visible and a fall would likely be fatal. Strands of barbed wire on 

the ground suggest the shaft had been fenced at one time. 

Recommendations: Due to its depth and proximity to a heavily used trail, this shaft 

should be backfilled as soon as possible. 

Keswick -- South of Keswick Dam*: This site consists of two isolated features; one vertical 

shaft and one inclined shaft/adit. 

Recommendations: The shaft is close to a heavily used trail and should be backfilled as 

soon as possible. The inclined opening goes into solid rock and should be easy to gate. 

Chappie Shasta OHV Trail*: This site consists of two adits with sizable waste rock piles. 

One shaft is open and the other is collapsed. Due to snags and numerous hazard trees, we 

weren’t able to safely approach these features. There may be additional mines at this site.

Recommendations: The open adit should be dug out and gated. Hazard tree removal 

may be required in order to make the site safe for work. The surrounding area should also be 

surveyed for additional features. 

Judy Mine & Mill: The Judy is located high above Mad Ox Gulch. The site burned in both the 

French and Carr fires. No standing buildings or structures were observed. There is one gated 

adit with water flowing out of it. No new features were found. 

Recommendations: None 

Middle Creek Trail*: A single open adit was found near a section of the Middle Creek Trail. 

The adit has a trickle of water flowing out of it.

Recommendations: The adit opening is narrow and it appears to be dug into relatively 

soft material. It could be closed with a backfill or PUF plug.

58
Mad Ox Mine*: The Mad Ox consists of several collapsed mine openings, and a stamp mill 

ruin. The site was burned in both the French and Carr fires. The metal stamps and some mill 

equipment are still present. A small, collapsing adit opening was found on the far side of the 

creek.

Recommendations: This adit opening has been largely plugged by rocks and eroding 

material from above. It’s located in an area that probably doesn’t get much visitation and the 

easiest solution may be to backfill the rest of the opening by hand. 

Mad Ox Gulch: This is a single adit located at the end of the road up Mad Ox Gulch. It may be 

part of the Mad Ox Mine or a separate site. The adit is open, has standing water, and ore car 

rails. However, since the site was previous known and unimpacted by the fire, it does not qualify 

for BAER funding. 

Recommendations: None 

Trail 58: The first half mile of the trail was surveyed. There were numerous prospect pits 

identified, but no hazardous mine features were found. 

Recommendations: None 

Brown Bear Mine: The Brown Bear Mine is located in and around Deadwood. The site is a 

mix of private and BLM ownership. There were a number of open adits observed, including 

several with standing water. These openings are hazardous, but there was no change in condition 

related to the Carr Fire, so they don’t meet the criteria for BAER funding.

Recommendations: None 

Scorpion Mine: The adit at the end of the road is collapsed, but still has water flowing from it. 

There are two other adits in the area that are also both collapsed. There were no changes in 

condition or new hazard features observed. 

Recommendations: None 

Gic Gulch*: This site has a single open adit. 

59
Recommendations: If the adit is in competent rock and has sizable underground 

workings, it should be fitted with a bat gate or culvert gate. 

Washington Mine: The Washington Mine is an active site with a number of complicated issues, 

including mixed land ownership (private and BLM), and a history of changes in ownership. The 

site was visited in conjunction with the BAER hydrology team and the BLM geologist. Of 

specific concern was the O’Neal adit, which is discharging water that’s high in zinc, arsenic, and 

cadmium. The water is normally piped to a treatment tank at the mill site, but the pipeline was 

burned and water is now being discharged down the drainage. The mine operator should repair 

the pipeline as soon as possible.

Recommendations: None 

* - Indicates site with newly discovered hazard features

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• Newly discovered mine openings should be formally surveyed for bat use and cultural 

resources.

• Continue surveying AML sites in the burned area and record new features. Volunteers 

may be able to assist agency staff with this task. The California Department of 

Conservation’s AML unit may also be interested in helping to survey.

• Start Section 106 compliance for temporary fencing and permanent closures

• Begin signing and fencing new features. Start with vertical shafts, which present the 

biggest safety hazard, and then work through the rest of the features, starting with the one 

closest to roads and trails 

• Install permanent closures (bat gates, culvert gates, PUF plugs, backfills), working 

through features in the same order as the fencing

60
BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION PLAN

CARR FIRE

RECREATIONAL TRAILS ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVES

Recreational trails-related issues include:

• Identifying and mitigating threats to life and property along visitor use trails

• Burned bridges and culverts, loss of trail tread due to collapse, tree hazards, loss of signs, loss of 

other visitor use infrastructure along trails such as picnic tables and benches

OBSERVATIONS 

A. Background

BLM 

An extensive network of trails exist on BLM managed lands in the Redding field office. There are roughly 

75 miles of non-motorized and 75 miles of off highway vehicle (OHV) trails that have been affected by 

the fire. The fire affected numerous trees, creating fire weakened hazard trees near the trail and 

trailhead parking. The trail system primarily had high density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipe which in 

many instances melted or fully burned. The damaged or destroyed pipes create holes in the trail tread 

and could adversely affect drainage. Most of the signs have been destroyed; either the posts have 

burned or the entire sign has been burned and is no longer readable. 

NPS

Whiskeytown NRA has 69 miles of maintained trails. The trails include a mixture of abandoned logging 

and mining roads along with asphalt walkways and engineered dirt trails. The park recently completed a 

year-long trail monitoring program that documented roughly 93,000 trail users, 85% of which are hikers, 

8% bicyclists, 4% runners, 1% equestrian, and 1% other (Whiskeytown NRA, 2018). The trail system is 

quite popular for the urban Redding area and surrounding communities. Many special events are held 

in the springtime for the variety of trail users, highlighting the need for the trails to be in useable 

condition by April or May of each year.

B. Reconnaissance Methodology and Results

Trails were surveyed on BLM and NPS lands for fire-caused damage to infrastructure on trails, 

particularly to bridges, culverts, benches, toilets, signs, etc. Reconnaissance methodologies and survey 

results follow for each agency.

61
BLM 

BAER personnel met with Redding Field Office staff (Laura Broadhead – Ecologist, Bill Kuntz – Recreation 

Supervisor) on August 13, 2018 to identify trails with possible infrastructure damage, 2018. We also met 

with additional BLM staff (Shawn Stapleton – foot/bike/horse trails, Sky Zaffarano – off highway vehicle 

trails) to clarify infrastructure locations. BAER personnel conducted site visits August 15 -20 to collect 

infrastructure damage point data. Approximately 30% of the trails were surveyed, but this included all 

of the infrastructure locations. The table shown below in the “Findings” section indicates the trails that 

were visited. BAER personnel visited these listed locations and most commonly (but not always) only a 

part of each trail, based on where potentially vulnerable infrastructure lies on each trail.

NPS

BAER personnel met with Whiskeytown NRA staff (Jason Judd, Trails Leader) on Aug. 21, 2018 to identify 

those trails within the park that burned and had possible infrastructure damage. Of the total trail 

mileage of approximately 70 miles, NRA staff narrowed the mileage that needed to be viewed/assessed 

by roughly 80% to enable a focus on where vulnerable infrastructure existed (several trails have little or 

no vulnerable infrastructure, particularly farther away from a trailhead). The table shown below in the 

“Findings” section indicates the trails and campgrounds within the park that were visited on Aug. 21 and 

22 by BAER personnel to assess the damage to infrastructure by the fire. Although other trails exist 

within the park, only those listed in the table were considered priorities by the park to assess. BAER 

personnel visited these listed locations and most commonly (but not always) only a part of each trail, 

based on where potentially vulnerable infrastructure lies on each trail.

C. Findings

BLM 

Many structures were burned along the trails, including plastic culverts and wooden bridges – see Maps 

in Appendix for “BLM Damaged Recreational Infrastructure”. Some specific locations of tread collapse 

were found, but it is again important to note that not all of the total trail miles were actually assessed 

given the short time frame available to the BAER Team. It is assumed that additional sections of tread 

collapse will be found on unsurveyed sections. BAER personnel noted only the imminent danger hazard 

trees in those sections of trails visited; it is assumed that additional imminent danger hazard trees exist 

on unsurveyed sections of trail. 

The table below summarizes those structures found that had incurred damage. Trail infrastructure 

damage will be repaired through an ES specification. 

Trail Name Mileage (total 

miles)

Damaged Infrastructure

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) 75.0 1 culvert

Cloverdale 7 7 culverts

Mule Ridge 19.0 2 culverts, 5 Bridges

Swasey 18.5 7 culverts

62
Salt Creek 1.5 none

Westside 3.5 1 culvert

58 2.0 1 culvert

Middle Creek 1.5 2 culverts (on connector)

French Fry 8 4 culverts, 1 bridge

Sacramento River Rail 4 31 culverts

FB 10 21 culverts, 1 bridge

NPS 

Several structures were burned along the trails and in campgrounds, primarily bridges, benches, and 

picnic tables - see Map in Appendix for “NPS Damaged Recreational Infrastructure”. Some specific 

locations of tread collapse were found, but it is again important to note that only a fraction of the total 

trail miles were actually assessed given the short time frame available to the BAER Team. It is assumed 

that additional sections of tread collapse will be found on unsurveyed sections. BAER personnel noted 

only the imminent danger hazard trees in those sections of trails visited; it is assumed that additional 

imminent danger hazard trees exist on unsurveyed sections of trail. 

The table below summarizes those structures found that had incurred damage. Not all trail locations 

listed in the table have unique numbers on the map (Appendix – “NPS Damaged Recreational 

Infrastructure” – they may have had no infrastructure damage (but may have had a tread collapse or 

particular hazard tree noted) but are left in the table because NPS staff specifically asked the BAER team 

to assess them. 

Trail infrastructure damage will be repaired through an ES spec and a BAR spec, according to whether 

the infrastructure is critical to public safety (bridges, trail tread) or not (benches, picnic tables, stairs).

Trail/Campground Name Total trail miles) Map icon #; damage found

James Carr (Whiskeytown Falls) 1.7 34: Bridge burned

33: tread collapse

Camden Water Ditch 0.8 30, 31: Steps burned (2 locations)

29: Mill Crk bridge burned

Tower House parking -- 28: Bridge planks burned (to Tower House 

parking 

27: picnic table burned

Crystal Creek Falls Approx. 0.5 (road) No damage along road/trail

Crystal Creek Campground -- Dead top in oak tree at toilet

Tower Grave 0.2 Fence (cultural structure) burned

Mill Creek Road 4.8 223: Bridge burned; tread collapse nearby

Boulder Creek Falls 0.1 35: Bridge burned

36: bench at falls burned; tread damage at 

falls

63
Boulder Creek campground 3.6 37: Picnic table burned; some directional 

signs burned at Papoose trail junction

Oak Bottom Water Ditch 2.7 Hazard trees; dozer line damaged the trail 

tread 

Dry Creek Campground -- Hazard trees

Papoose Creek 5.0 43: Bridge burned

Brandy Creek Trail Campground -- 42: Picnic table burned

Brandy Creek picnic area -- 41: Bridge burned

Shasta Divide Nature Trail 0.4 No infrastructure damaged

Mount Shasta Mine Loop 3.1 Trailhead sign burned

Martha’s Ditch -- 44: Burned stairs

Bridge #2 handrails material burned

Guardian Rock 1.0 45: Bench burned

Princess Ditch 2.5 46: Bridge burned

0: Bridge burned

Red Gulch Picnic Area -- 47: 2 picnic tables burned

Kanaka Peak 4.1 Bench assumed burned (site was not 

assessed due to lack of time)

*Note: the Crystal Creek Water Ditch trail was evaluated by the Cultural Resource group and is assessed 

and a funding specification written to address mitigation issues in that section of this plan.

RECOMMENDATIONS

BLM 

Several specifications are recommended to address public safety associated with using the trails, as well 

as to address the longer-term increased maintenance needs that inevitably follow a significant fire in 

steep, forested terrain. 

BLM-09-ES, Replace burned trail infrastructure and tread 

Many culverts and several bridges have burned, creating a human safety hazard. Similarly, sections of 

trail tread have collapsed in places where roots and stumps have burned out. All need to be mitigated 

to provide for public safety on these heavily used trails

BLM-18-ES Install hazard warning signs along all trails (and roads)

Warning signs serve to inform the visiting public of increased safety risks when entering a burned area, 

such as threats of flash floods, debris flows, tree hazards, rockfall, etc. Warning signs will be placed at 

key locations – trailheads, road junctions, visitor gathering locations, etc. This specification covers both 

trails and roads.

64
BLM-11-BAR, Out-year increased trail maintenance needs

Ongoing post-fire affects will continue to cause an increased level of damage to trails for several years 

following the fire – expected increases in normal windfall, drainage concerns, rockfall and tread issues, 

increased brushing needs, etc. This specification addresses the increased staffing needs to mitigate the 

increased trail maintenance workload.

NPS

Several specifications are recommended to address public safety associated with using the trails, as well 

as to address the longer-term increased maintenance needs that inevitably follow a significant fire in 

steep, forested terrain such as found in the park.

NPS-16-ES, Replace burned trail infrastructure and tread 

Several bridges have burned in the park, creating a human safety hazard for parts of the year. Similarly, 

sections of trail tread have collapsed in places where roots and stumps have burned out. All need to be 

mitigated to provide for public safety on these heavily used trails

NPS-22-ES Install hazard warning signs along all trails (and roads)

Warning signs serve to inform the visiting public of increased safety risks when entering a burned area, 

such as threats of flash floods, debris flows, tree hazards, rockfall, etc. Warning signs will be placed at 

key locations – trailheads, road junctions, visitor gathering locations, etc. This specification covers both 

trails and roads.

NPS-18-BAR, Out-year increased trail maintenance needs

Ongoing post-fire affects will continue to cause an increased level of damage to trails for several years 

following the fire – expected increases in normal windfall, drainage concerns, rockfall and tread issues, 

increased brushing needs, etc. This specification addresses the increased staffing needs to mitigate the 

increased trail maintenance workload.

CONSULTATIONS

Laura Brodhead, Ecologist, Redding Field Office

Bill Kuntz, Supervisory Recreation Planner for Operations, Maintenance and Recreation Programs, 

Redding Field Office

Sky Zaffarano, OHV-Trails, Redding Field Office

Shawn Stapleton, Trails, Redding Field Office

Jason Judd, Whiskeytown NRA

65
Joe Pettegrew, Roads, Trails, and Lake Supervisor, Whiskeytown NRA

ATTACHMENTS

Maps in Appendix

REFERENCES

National Park Service. 2018. Whiskeytown Trail Use Survey Results. Whiskeytown National Recreation 

Area, Redding, CA. 46 p.

=================================================

Jack Oelfke, Chief, Natural/Cultural Resources, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, WA

Eric Rhodenbaugh, Forest Manager, Wind River Agency, BIA, Fort Washakie, WY

Zack Stewart, Forester, Cottonwood Field Office, Cottonwood, ID 

66
BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION PLAN

CARR FIRE

MINOR FACILITIES ASSESSMENT

OBJECTIVES

• Identify and assess minor facilities (excluding life and safety concerns associated with trails, 

covered in a separate assessment) that have burned within the fire perimeter on BLM and NPS lands

• Identify the number of burned structures that pose risks from debris and hazardous materials

ISSUES and BACKGROUND

The Carr Fire burned minor facilities on BLM and NPS lands. Extensive damage occurred to trail 

infrastructure (typically bridges and culverts), but that issue regarding life and safety concerns on trails 

is covered in the “Recreational Trails” assessment. Covered in this assessment are other minor facilities 

within the burn area, as described below for each agency.

BLM 

Two minor facilities were identified that were damaged by the Carr Fire. The Iron Mountain shooting 

range is located on the Iron Mountain Road in Shasta County, approximately 5 miles north of Redding 

and 1⁄2 miles west of the Sacramento River/Keswick Reservoir. The site is an unofficial and unmanaged 

shooting range covering roughly 60 acres. Four separate shooting lanes exist as separate pullouts along 

the road. NorthWind, Inc, produced a report (2017) for the BLM California State Office to address lead 

contamination at the range. Sampling of soil and adjacent wetlands and waterways detected lead 

contamination that exceeded EPA’s soil screening background, which ultimately led to the 

recommendation by the California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to BLM to 

develop an Erosion Control Plan to prevent discharge of lead and other waste leaving the site. 

Contaminated soils were subsequently consolidated into swales in two of the shooting range lanes; 

straw wattles were installed to capture any sediment off the swales prior to discharge off site through 

precipitation runoff. 

The Shasta Guild amphitheatres are located near the Shasta Historical Park just off Highway 299, 

northwest of the Middle Creek Trail. The two locations, within a couple hundred yards of each other, 

were part of a visitor use area that featured historical structures and activities and were managed by a 

non-profit group. Minor structures associated with the larger amphitheatre and stage was a tree log to 

separate the stage from public seating, straw bales as seating benches in several rows facing the stage, 

and a small bridge on the adjacent trail. The smaller amphitheatre had a stage and straw bales for 

seating in rows facing the stage. 

67
NPS

The NPS has a number of kiosks that provide important park information, particularly regarding safety 

issues and general park rules, and wayside interpretive panels that serve to inform the public of 

important natural, cultural, and recreational features in the recreation area. These structures are found 

in various frontcountry locations throughout the park. Similarly, toilets and picnic tables for visitor use 

are also found at several frontcountry locations. Key entry points to the park have large wooden signs 

identifying the park.

Several trails have wooden benches for visitors to stop and rest, either on steep sections of trail or at 

special features along the trails, such as waterfalls. A few trails have wooden steps embedded in short 

steep sections of trail.

Many larger structures exist in the park, serving a number of purposes including employee housing and 

garages, concession operations, facility maintenance operations, and offices.

RECONNAISSANCE METHODS

BLM 

BAER personnel paired with the BLM Redding office Supervisory Realty Specialist (Charley Wright) and 

the Supervisory Recreation Planner for Operations, Maintenance and Recreation Programs (Bill Kuntz)

to assess the Iron Mountain shooting range and the Shasta Guild amphitheatres on Aug. 20, 2018. All 

minor facilities on each site were assessed for burn damage, information was gathered in Collector, and 

loaded into the Carr Fire database in the BAER den. BLM staff made the determination on Aug. 22 that 

only one amphitheatre site was a priority to keep, and that the small footbridge adjacent to the large 

amphitheatre was also important to retain as part of the trail system. Therefore, only the large 

amphitheatre infrastructure is considered below.

NPS

BAER personnel assessed trail damage and other minor facilities (some campgrounds or picnic sites) on 

Aug. 21 and 22 and anecdotally noted one fire-impacted interpretive panel. Contact was made with the 

WHIS Chief of Resource Mgmt/Interpretation to note this and request an inventory of parkwide 

interpretive panels. Park staff subsequently completed an assessment of the kiosks and interpretive 

panels on Aug 23 and Aug. 27 and provided that information to the BAER team.

The toilet on the Whiskeytown Dam and picnic areas/beaches/marinas were assessed on Aug. 22. 

A National Park Service all-risk Incident Management Team completed an initial survey of burned 

structures within the park.

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FINDINGS

BLM 

Iron Mountain Shooting Range: Two of the four shooting lanes had swales created to contain the lead 

contamination, and the straw wattles on both of those sites were burned. Shooting lane site #1 

(northern site) had 75’ of wattles burned. No other facilities were damaged. Shooting range site #3 

had wattles of 120’ in length burned. No other facilities were damaged on Site #3, and no facilities 

were damaged at shooting lane sites #2 or #4.

Shasta Guild large amphitheatre: The stage (roughly 12’ x 35’) was completely burned, and metal 

supports compromised. The log barrier that separated the seating area from the stage was partially 

burned and will need replacement (50’ long). The small wooden bridge (6’ x 15’) adjacent to the 

amphitheatre completely burned. Seven rows in an arc, amphitheatre style, face the stage and the 

straw bales that were in place in each row for general audience seating were burned. Each row is 

approximately 60’ long. 

NPS

No kiosks were substantively damaged by the fire; the Tower House kiosk has very minor paint 

blistering. One interpretive panel at the JFK memorial adjacent to the Whiskeytown dam and two 

panels at Whiskey Creek was burned; all others were undamaged.

Only one toilet suffered fire-related damage (along the JFK road on the Whiskeytown dam), but park 

staff will repair the damage from other park project funds. The toilet at the Crystal Creek campground 

has a hazard tree adjacent to it.

Picnic tables in several front and backcountry locations were burned, including Tower House parking, 

Boulder Creek primitive campsite, Whiskey Creek group picnic site, and Brandy Creek campsites. 

Resting benches along park trails were also burned, including at Boulder Creek Falls, Horse Camp, and 

at Kanaka Peak.

The entrance sign off Mule Town Road suffered partial damage. 

Many larger structures burned in the park, reducing them to rubble and debris and potentially exposing

hazardous materials. Serious concern exists that soil contamination and downslope contamination into 

water sources will occur once fall rains begin.

69
RECOMMENDATIONS

BLM 

BLM-12-ES Minor Facilities Repair – shooting range

The burned straw wattles on Sites #1 (75’ long) and #3 (120’ long) will be replaced before fall rains set 

in. These wattles were a part of the Erosion Control Plan developed by a contractor for managing the 

lead contamination at the site. BLM staff will complete the work. 

BLM-13-BAR Minor Facilities Repair - Shasta Guild amphitheatre

The burned wooden stage, log barrier, wooden bridge, and straw bales will be rebuilt/replaced. This 

facility is an important element of the public recreational use of this near-urban area of Redding. BLM 

or contractor staff will complete the work.

NPS

NPS-19-BAR Replace minor facilities along trails, roads, and frontcountry locations

This specification will fund the repair burned structures that support visitor-use related activities in the 

park, including picnic tables, trailside benches, an entrance sign, three wayside panels, and burned 

steps in one location. Facilities will be replaced in-kind, using park staff.

NPS-31-ES Remove debris and hazardous materials from burned structures

This specification will fund the removal of debris and hazardous materials from 29 priority 

structure/sites that have burned in 8 general locations within the park.

CONSULTATIONS

Bill Kuntz, Supervisory Recreation Planner for Operations, Maintenance and Recreation Programs, 

Redding Field Office

Charley Wright, Supervisory Realty Specialist, Redding Field Office

Jason Judd, Trails Leader, Whiskeytown NRA

Joe Pettegrew, Roads, Trails, and Lake Supervisor, Whiskeytown NRA

Matt Switzer, Interpretive Ranger, Whiskeytown NRA

Ellen Petrick, Supervisor for Interpretation, Whiskeytown NRA

70
REFERENCES

North Wind, Inc. 2017. Erosion Control Plan Iron Mountain Shooting Area CERCLA Response Action, 

Redding, California. Prepared for USDI BLM California State Office, Sacramento, CA

=================================================

Jack Oelfke, Chief, Natural/Cultural Resources, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, WA

Eric Rhodenbaugh, Forest Manager, Wind River Agency, BIA, Fort Washakie, WY

Zack Stewart, Forester, Cottonwood Field Office, Cottonwood, ID

71
BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION PLAN

Carr Fire

VEGETATION RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

I. OBJECTIVES

● Identify potential impacts and threats to native vegetation recovery based on field assessments, 

Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) and Soil Burn Severity (SBS).

● Provide management recommendations for reducing impacts to native vegetation from invasive 

plants within and adjacent to the burned area.

● Develop cost effect emergency stabilization and rehabilitation treatments and specifications in 

addition to treatment effectiveness monitoring.

● Assess fire effects monitoring on plant succession of the high SBS areas in order to provide 

additional direction for fire management of these areas. 

II. ISSUES

● Impacts to the ecological integrity of watersheds including native vegetation and wildlife 

communities within and adjacent to the fire perimeter including access roads and fire 

suppression related activities.

● Potential for the introduction of new invasive weeds and the expansion of existing invasive 

weed infestations within and adjacent to the fire perimeter.

● Vegetation recovery and seedling recruitment and establishment of native vegetation in high 

SBS areas and in locations impacted by fire suppression related activities. 

● Impacts to unique Sensitive Species plant populations, native seed banks, and soil productivity.

 

III. OBSERVATIONS

A. Background

The Carr Fire burned approximately 229,462 acres within Shasta County and Trinity County 

California--63,127 acres were within Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 38,565 acres National 

Park Service (NPS), 30,149 acres United States Forest Service (USFS), 3,266 acres Bureau of 

Reclamation and 94,354 acres were within private or other administrative jurisdictions. Four

dominant vegetation communities were impacted by the fire including mixed chaparral which 

intergrades with oak woodland, mixed conifer forest and mixed evergreen forest/riparian 

woodland (refer to table 1 and vegetation community map). Refer to individual treatment

specification forms by agency for details on the number of acres and miles of disturbance and 

priority treatment areas. 

B. Vegetation Resources

The Carr fire is within the Klamath Mountain physiographic province and is considered an area 

of high species richness due to the proximity to the Southern Cascade Range, Northern 

California Coast Range and Sacramento Valley. The vegetation communities within the Carr Fire 

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do not have distinct boundaries but instead intergrade based on topography, elevation, soil type 

and level of past disturbance. Four dominant vegetation communities were identified using the 

USDA’s remote Sensing Lab CALVEG project, NLCD (National Land Cover Database), CNPS 

(California Native Plant Society) Manual of CA Vegetation and local knowledge. The four 

communities (shown below in Table 1-Dominant Land Cover within the Carr Fire Perimeter) are 

mixed chaparral, mixed evergreen/riparian woodland, oak woodland, and mixed conifer forest.

See pre-fire vegetation map.

Table 1. Dominant Land Cover types within the Carr Fire Perimeter.

Postfire regeneration information was obtained using Fire effects information System (FEIS 

2018) and A Manual of California Vegetation (CNPS 2018). Following field assessments it was 

determined that the vegetation mortality was comparable to the SBS in the majority of the fire 

1. Mixed Chaparral

Chaparral is dominated by fire adapted shrub species that have a historic fire return interval

between 35-150 years. Species in this community are dominated by manzanita, Ceanothus, 

chamise, redbud and toyon within the Carr Fire. Many species have adaptations that allow them 

to survive postfire including obligate resprouters (i.e. toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)) and 

obligate seeders (i.e. Arctostaphylos viscida and Ceanothus spp.) which only survive postfire 

from seed (seeds often remain dormant in the soil until fire cues--heat and/or smoke--release 

the seed from dormancy). Some species are facultative seeders such as chamise (Adenostoma 

fasciculatum), Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), Greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos 

patula), and California redbud (Cercis orbuculata) which survive by resprouting and by seed 

postfire. California redbud and canyon live oak were observed resprouting during field 

assessments in this community in the Whiskey Creek watershed, Grizzly Gulch and South Fork 

Road.

Cover Type Acres within the Carr Fire perimeter

Barren/Agriculture/Developed 1,801

Water 477

Herbaceous 1,056

Mixed Chaparral 32,500

Mixed Evergreen Forest/Riparian Woodland 57,063

Oak Woodland 38,167

Mixed Conifer Forest: 98,410

 Gray Pine/Knobcone Pine NA

 Ponderosa Pine NA

 White Fir NA

 Douglas-fir/Sugar Pine NA

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Vegetation recovery in this community postfire varies by soil burn severity. Chaparral typically 

recovers within 5 to 10 years postfire in low soil burn severity areas and recovers more slowly in 

moderate to high soil burn severity areas within the Carr fire. Chaparral communities within the 

Carr fire are adapted to fire return intervals ranging from 35-100 yeas however frequent fires 

outside the historic range can cause obligate seeding shrubs that require years for maturation to 

produce seed to be lost in this community. This loss of obligate seeding species and mortality of 

resprouting shrubs in high soil burn severity areas can lead to type conversion of invasive weed

dominant vegetation over time.

2. Oak Woodland

Oak Woodland consists of various species that are adapted to fires that occur within historic fire 

return intervals (typically less than 35 years). Species in this community are dominated by 

canyon live oak, black oak (Quercus kelloggii), and interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni). Many 

species have adaptations that allow them to survive postfire including thick bark and the ability 

to resprout from roots or regenerate from seed. Some species are facultative seeders--Canyon 

live oak and black oak survive by resprouting and by reproducing from seed postfire.

Vegetation recovery in this community postfire varies by soil burn severity. Trees within oak 

woodland communities are expected to survive and regenerate postfire in low soil burn severity 

areas. This community typically recovers to pre-fire conditions in 25-40 years. Tree species with 

thick bark (black oak) tend to survive moderate soil burn severity as opposed to tree species 

with thin bark (i.e. canyon live oak) however, canyon live oak has a deep extensive root system 

and was observed resprouting during field assessments within moderate soil burn severity areas

within the fire perimeter. High SBS areas had tree mortality due to entire root crowns and 

acorns that were killed. These areas are expected to take longer to recover since recruitment 

will be from unburned adjacent trees or resprouting adjacent individuals within moderate and 

low SBS areas. 

3. Mixed Conifer Forest

Mixed conifer forest consists of various species that are adapted to low to moderate intensity

that occur within historic fire return intervals (typically 50 years). Species in this community are 

dominated by gray pine (Pinus sabiniana) and knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) at lower 

elevations that intergrade with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menzeisii), ponderosa pine (Pinus 

ponderosa), incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens), sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and white fir 

(Abies concolor) at higher elevations. 

Vegetation recovery in this community postfire varies by soil burn severity. Trees within mixed 

conifer forest are expected to survive and regenerate postfire in low to moderate SBS areas. In 

the absence of type conversion this community typically recovers or seedlings become 

established within 25-40 years postfire. Tree species with thick bark and deep extensive root 

systems tend to survive low to moderate soil burn severity as opposed to tree species with thin 

bark. This community is expected to survive by seed production from mature trees that 

74
survived, wind dispersed seed from unburned pockets within the fire and adjacent unburned 

trees.

4. Mixed Evergreen Forest/Riparian Woodland

Mixed evergreen Forest consists of various conifer, oak, and riparian species. Riparian woodland 

is a vegetation community found along intermittent and perennial streams within watersheds. 

Within the Carr Fire this community is dominated by white alder (Alnus rhombifolia), bigleaf 

maple (Acer macrophyllum), and various willow species (Salix spp.). The riparian woodland 

communities burned at low to moderate intensity and SBS with areas of unburned vegetation. 

The primary threat to riparian areas within the fire perimeter is the introduction and 

establishment of noxious and invasive weeds and erosion/sedimentation from steep slopes with 

high SBS. There is a potential for upstream sediment to be delivered into the riparian areas 

during rain events or snowmelt runoff. 

There were some areas of high vegetation mortality observed (i.e. Whiskeytown Lake-Clear 

Creek, Deadwood Creek-Trinity River and E. Fork of Clear Creek HUC 12 watersheds); however, 

perennial grasses, Indian rhubarb (Darmera peltata), California blackberry (Rubus ursinus), 

foothill ash (Fraxinus dipetala), and willow (Salix spp.) were observed resprouting within the low 

to moderate SBS areas. Regeneration is expected in the absence of further disturbance.

Vegetation recovery in this community postfire varies by SBS. This community is expected to 

recover in low to moderate SBS areas. Many riparian species are expected to survive by 

resprouting from root crowns and regenerating from undamaged seed within the seed bank, 

and wind dispersed seeds from adjacent unburned pockets. Some species are less tolerant of 

fire due to thin bark and may take decades to recover especially in high SBS areas (i.e. white 

alder). No resprouting was observed in the high SBS areas and species in this community were 

likely killed due to root crown and seed damage. Vigorous resprouting was observed during field 

assessments in moderate SBS areas within the Clear Creek and Whiskey Creek tributaries. 

Type Conversion 

Many communities within the Carr Fire are adapted to historic fire return intervals. When 

frequent fires occur outside their historic ranges some portions within vegetation communities 

may be more susceptible to type conversion over time. For instance, some conifer stands within

the Moon Fire (2008), did not recover to their pre-fire condition. Tree seedlings intolerant of 

shade were out-competed by vigorous shrub regeneration. Many factors contributed to this 

change including more variable rain patterns, and increased drought which hindered tree 

seedling survival. Similarly, variable conditions can reasonably be expected to result in 

vegetation type conversion in certain communities within the Carr Fire. Fire adapted 

communities may regenerate and recover postfire however, they may not reflect pre-fire 

species composition and cover due to these variations in climatic conditions, fire return 

intervals, and site resiliency. 

Unique Vegetation Communities 

Camden House Orchard

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The Camden House fruit trees are contributing features to the Camden House Cultural 

Landscape. The trees were visited during the field assessment and the majority are expected to 

survive and approximately three were killed. The majority had resprouts from the base and 

some still had green apical shoots. A few trees still had flowers that were unburned. The orchard 

burned at low SBS and is expected to survive unless further disturbance is experienced. 

McNabb Cypress Stand

The McNabb cypress (Hesperocyparis macnabiana) stand has local historic significance and was 

killed during the Carr Fire. This stand is located near the historic Whiskeytown within the 

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This area experienced moderate SBS however, mature 

trees in addition to approximately 10 year old trees were killed. The stand is expected to survive 

unless additional disturbance occurs in this area. This species is typically adapted to high 

mortality and seeds are known to vigorously germinate from serotinous cones during the fire 

and vigorously germinates in bare mineral soil exposed. 

Rare Plant Habitat

There were 11 documented Special Status Species (rare plants limited in abundance and 

distribution within their range) exist within the Carr Fire perimeter. California Natural Diversity 

Database CNDDB 2018. During rapid assessments a few populations were observed with low 

vegetation mortality including canyon creek stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum), 

Sulphur Creek Brodiaea (Brodiaea matsonii), Howell’s alkali grass (Puccinellia howellii) and 

Mallory’s manzanita (Arctostaphylos malloryi). A few populations of Mallory’s manzanita were

impacted by suppression repair efforts and the fire within upper Whiskey Creek watershed 

(BLM) however, it is expected to resprout from intact underground roots within the 

low/unburned area. In addition, Howell’s alkali grass was observed within low/unburned habitat 

and is expected to survive unless further disturbance occurs in this area. See Table 2. Special 

Status Species Plants documented within the Carr Fire perimeter. 

Populations of Sulphur Creek Brodiaea were observed in the field post-fire by local experts. Part 

of the known extent was burned at a low burn severity and no impacts are expected to the 

plants in this area due to fire effects. A suppression dozer line disturbed part of the known 

extent but the shallow nature of the dozer line and repair work done by hand is expected to 

protect the individuals in this area. Part of the known extent was unburned. Changes to 

localized hydrology due the fire upstream in the watershed might influence the species' 

distribution over the coming years, as the plant is known to only occur within the river channel 

and adjacent flooded areas of Sulphur Creek. 

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Table 2. Special Status Species Plants documented within the Carr Fire perimeter (CNDDB 2018)

Most of the Special Status Species plants that burned within the Carr Fire are adapted to historic 

fire regimes and fire return intervals within their corresponding vegetation community. The 

majority of Special Status plant habitat burned at 54% low SBS followed by 32% moderate SBS, 

8% was unburned and 6% was high SBS. Populations that burned at low intensity are expected 

to survive either by seed banked in the soil or from surrounding intact plants, in the absence of 

further disturbance. Populations that burned at moderate intensity may have adaptations that 

allow them to survive postfire including deep roots insulation by rocky outcroppings, the ability 

to resprout, or seeds buried below the top few inches of the soil surface that are more likely to 

survive. Annuals were killed in moderate and high intensity areas and perennials are expected 

to survive in low to moderate intensity areas and were likely insulated by rocks and deeper root 

structures.

C. Reconnaissance, Methodology and Results 

Information used in this assessment was generated from field reconnaissance, recovery and 

management plans, GIS databases, and natural resource managers from the NPS, BLM, and FS 

along with support from other BAER team members. A custom soil survey was created for a few 

select locations within the Carr Fire from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 

(NRCS) Web Soil Survey web site in order to obtain Ecological Site Descriptions. 

Unburned vegetation areas 

Approximately 14,003 acres of unburned/very low vegetation exist within portions of the Carr 

Fire perimeter and the unburned vegetation within and adjacent to the fire is expected to serve 

as native and non-native seed sources within burned areas. 

Scientific Name High Low Moderate

Unburned/

Very Low Grand Total

Brodiaea matsonii - 0.70 - 0.74 1.44

Clarkia borealis ssp. borealis 20.01 75.32 56.44 16.06 167.82

Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens 1.29 64.13 19.46 2.33 87.21

Erythranthe taylorii - 0.29 - 0.41 0.70

Potamogeton epihydrus 5.32 5.15 61.99 1.35 73.82

Puccinellia howellii - 3.01 - 3.01

Sagittaria sanfordii - 0.89 1.22 0.02 2.13

Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum 7.56 70.78 19.63 12.35 110.33

Silene salmonacea 0.01 1.04 1.89 - 2.94

Smilax jamesii 12.96 5.12 1.76 19.84

Vaccinium shastense ssp. shastense 89.97 22.75 13.98 126.70

Grand Total 34.19 324.23 188.50 49.01 595.94

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Burned vegetation

Vegetation mortality was classified into the following four categories (unburned, low, moderate, 

and high) based on immediate postfire mortality of aboveground plant parts. Following field 

assessments it was determined that the vegetation mortality was comparable to the SBS in the 

majority of the fire which burned at 89,949 ac. moderate SBS, 11,062 ac. high SBS and 114,447 

ac. were low/unburned. See Table 3, Vegetation Mortality.

Table 3. Vegetation Mortality 

Vegetation Mortality by cover type

Rating Other Herbaceous

Mixed 

Chaparral

Mixed Evergreen 

Forest

Mixed 

Conifer 

Forest

Oak 

Woodland Grand Total

High 9 10 937 3,426 5,713 967 11,062

Moderate 1,289 269 17,113 18,719 40,939 12,543 89,949

Low 367 674 12,795 30,721 46,298 22,670 114,447

Unburned/

Very Low

611

103 1,657 4,193 5,430 2,010 14,003

2,276 1,056 32,501 57,059 98,380 38,189 229,462

Fire suppression related activities are likely to have been a vector for the introduction and 

spread of invasive weeds within and adjacent to the fire perimeter. High probability areas of 

introduction and spread of invasives include high SBS areas, riparian corridors, roads and 

recently disturbed areas due to fire suppression related activities (including dozerlines, drop 

points and staging areas. These serve as corridors and vehicles as vectors that transport weed 

seeds and propagules to recently burned areas that are suitable for colonization due to the lack 

of competition from native species postfire. Postfire recreational use of roads, trails, and 

designated camping areas creates a greater potential for the spread of invasive weeds. 

D. Findings 

The burned area, now lacking desired vegetation that can normally outcompete invasive 

species, is vulnerable to the introduction and spread of invasives by unburned seed sources 

outside and adjacent to burned areas especially if native seed banks and soil productivity are 

compromised. In the low SBS areas, it will take at least one growing season (Summer 2019) until 

native vegetation can reestablish and compete with invasive species. In moderate to high SBS 

areas, vegetation recovery is expected to take longer and will vary based on pre-fire vegetation 

community and location within the fire perimeter. Invasive species are likely to establish at a 

much faster rate in certain areas, further impacting native vegetation communities. 

The introduction and establishment of invasive weeds is very likely to prevent native vegetation 

recovery and establishment and can increase future fire hazards especially with the 

establishment of flashy invasive annual grasses including cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and 

medusahead rye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Invasive weeds known to occur within and 

adjacent to the fire include yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), knapweeds-diffuse

78
(Centurea diffusa), and spotted (Centaurea maculosa), stinkweed (Dittrichia graveolens), 

puncture vine (Tribulis terrestris), various broom species (French (Genista monspessulana), 

Spanish (Spartium junceum), Scotch (Cystisus scoparius) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum 

perforatum), Arundo (Arundo donax) and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissimum).

The establishment of a weed washing station was not implemented until late in the incident, 

and is expected to increase the threat of the introduction and spread of weed seed and 

propagules within and adjacent to the Carr Fire. Vehicles were required to wash as part of the 

demob process after the incident. 

The acres and miles of suppression damage on federal lands is as follows: Drop points/safety 

zones: BLM - 18 acres, NPS – 4 ac., USFS – 15 ac.; dozerlines: BLM – 15 miles, 15 ac, NPS – 12 

miles, 15 ac., USFS – 12 miles, 12 ac.; handlines: BLM – 12 miles, 14 ac., NPS – 2 miles, 2 ac., 

USFS – 9 miles, 11 ac.; roads: BLM – 85 miles, 5,737 ac., NPS – 78 miles, 5,491 ac., USFS – 95 

miles, 6,347 ac. Riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity (SBS): BLM – 88 ac., NPS 

– 8 ac., USFS – 106 ac.; vegetation with high SBS: BLM – 2,726 ac., NPS – 3,855 ac., USFS – 1,224 

ac. Out of total acres burned on the three federal agencies addressed in this Assessment, the 

BLM had 4% of the vegetation in high SBS, NPS had 10% in high SBS, and USFS had 4% in high 

SBS.

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) treatments of invasive species in native vegetation 

communities are proposed to mitigate the threat to native vegetation recovery. Specifications 

were developed which outline the application of manual and chemical treatments to reduce the 

competitive pressure of invasive weeds. Invasive weed treatments will greatly improve new 

recruitment of desirable species from surrounding unburned native vegetation and allow seed 

germination from existing seeds stored within the seed bank. 

A high probability for the introduction and spread of invasive weeds exists especially in high 

priority treatment areas (refer to invasive weed priority inventory and treatment map) including 

high SBS areas, riparian corridors, roads and recently disturbed areas due to fire suppression 

related activities (dozerlines, handlines, drop points, safety zones, and staging areas). Some 

areas are excluded from inventory and treatment due to the native vegetation community’s 

ability to recover postfire in areas of unburned/low SBS since these areas are expected to 

resprout and/or regenerate from seed unless further disturbance occurs. Inventory will occur in 

areas having high SBS as these areas have a high likelihood for invasive weed invasion. Various 

treatment methods will be utilized including hand pulling, backpack spraying and/or truck/UTV 

boom mounted spray units.

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A. Emergency Stabilization (ES)

NPS, BLM, FS

Specification # BLM-14, NPS-4, USFS-1 Invasive Species, Early Detection Rapid Response

The purpose is to identify the establishment and monitor the spread of noxious weeds. The 

most effective noxious weed strategy after a disturbance is Early Detection and Rapid Response. 

Inventory and treatment by trained botanists/environmental specialists should begin in spring 

2019 as soon as plant identification is possible. Priority should be given to areas impacted by fire 

suppression related activities and high SBS areas (refer to Treatment Specification forms in plan. 

The data collected from invasive weed surveys and treatments should include species, location, 

area infested and density. Treatments should be prescribed to control introduction and spread 

of invasive weeds in order to minimize the threat to native vegetation recovery. 

Control of invasive weed infestations will include existing documented sites as well as new sites

that may have been introduced during fire suppression operations. Integrated pest 

management techniques (herbicides, mechanical, and/or biological) will be utilized as 

appropriate to prevent the spread and establishment of weeds within the fire area. Herbicides 

are excluded for use within Trinity County. This specification addresses populations that can be 

treated through appropriate spot treatments mechanically, backpack sprayers, and vehiclemounted broadcast sprayers. High priority species will be decided at the discretion of the lead 

agency and will include California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) A and B rated weeds. For a list 

of A and B rated weeds visit: https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/inventory/ .For example, high 

priority species for treatment include: yellow starthistle, tocalote, puncture vine, knapweeds 

(diffuse, spotted and squarrose), Arundo, tree of heaven, and broom (Spanish, French and 

Scotch). 

B. Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR)

Invasive Species, Early Detection Rapid Response, Specification # NPS-5

In fiscal years 2020-2022 follow up treatments will be required on a subset of treatment sites 

and all new infestations of high priority species. Manual removal will occur where herbicide is 

not appropriate. All herbicide treatments will adhere to the National Park Service list of 

approved chemicals. Herbicide use would follow application procedures described in the 

chemical manufacturer’s label. In order to ensure watershed health, control or elimination of 

noxious weeds on both upland and riparian areas will be in cooperation with local, state, and 

other federal agencies, as well private groups or other interested parties. Executive Order 

13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive Species established the format for federal agencies to develop 

programs dealing with invasive species. Invasive weed inventory of the disturbed sites within 

the Carr Fire boundary will be conducted and reported under the current standards using 

Pesticide Use Reports and a local geospatial database. Other Regulations and Policies include: 

Whiskeytown NRA General Management Plan (1999), NPS Management Directive No. 038, NPS 

Management Policies 2001, 4.4.4, Whiskeytown NRA Fire Management Plan (2004). 

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Monitoring Treatment Effectiveness NPS-27

Noxious weed treatments will be conducted and reported under the current standards using 

Pesticide Use Reports and a local geospatial database. All treated invasive weed infestations will 

be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of different chemical applications, plant resistance 

to herbicide(s) and recovery of the native plant communities. Control effectiveness will be 

evaluated the year following treatment to determine effectiveness of treatment (hand pulling or 

chemical applications), plant resistance to herbicides, and if follow-up treatments are necessary. 

Monitoring methods will involve repeated visits to infestation sites to give ocular estimates of 

the infestation. Photo-points during flowering periods can also be utilized. Monitoring will occur 

in years 1 through 3.

 

Invasive Species, Early Detection Rapid Response, Specification BLM-15

In fiscal years 2020-2024 follow up treatments will be required on a subset of treatment sites 

and all new infestations of high priority species. Manual removal will occur in areas where 

herbicide is not appropriate. 

All herbicide treatments will adhere to the BLM list of approved chemicals. Herbicide use would 

follow application procedures described in the chemical manufacturer’s label (most recent list 

updated September, 2011) and would be in conformance with the Vegetation Treatments Using 

Herbicides on BLM Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 

(PEIS). In order to ensure watershed health, control or elimination of noxious weeds on both 

upland and riparian areas will be in cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies, as 

well private groups or other interested parties. Executive Order 13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive 

Species established the format for federal agencies to develop programs dealing with invasive 

species. Invasive weed inventory of the disturbed sites within the Carr Fire boundary will be 

conducted and reported under the current standards using Pesticide Use Reports and a local 

geospatial database. Other Regulations and Policies include: All proposed treatments are in 

conformance with these additional existing BLM policies and plans including: Redding Field 

Office Environmental Assessment, Integrated Vegetation Management (2016), Redding Resource 

Management Plan and Record of Decision (1993), Final Programmatic Environmental Impact 

Statement Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 

Western States (2007), Vegetation Treatments on BLM Lands in 17 Western States 

Programmatic Environmental Report (2007), Vegetation Treatments Using Aminopyralid, 

Flourozypyr, and Rimsulfuron on Bureau of Land Management Lands in the 17 Western States 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (2016).

Monitoring Treatment Effectiveness BLM-21

Chemically treated noxious weed infestations will be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of 

different chemical applications, plant resistance to herbicide(s) and recovery of the native plant 

communities. Control effectiveness will be evaluated the year following treatment to determine 

effectiveness of treatment (hand pulling or chemical applications), plant resistance to 

81
herbicides, and if follow-up treatments are necessary. Monitoring protocol methods will be at 

the discretion of the local Field Office or District and will involve at a minimum repeated visits to 

infestation sites to give ocular estimates of the infestation. Photo-points during flowering 

periods can also be utilized. Long term monitoring of the area using methods such as line point 

intercept will also add more quantitative data for analysis to post-fire rehabilitation Monitoring 

will occur in years 1 through 3.

V. NON-SPECIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS

 Monitor for Special Status Species

Since the fire burned through suitable habitat for Special Status Species plants, surveys and 

postfire effects monitoring are recommended. If Special Status Species plants are detected, 

each occurrence should be documented and a voucher specimen collected as needed. 

Areas of importance include 1) Macnab Cypress stand near Whiskeytown on NPS lands. Monitor 

for seedling recruitment; 2) BLM sensitive stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum) 

location impacted by suppression repair efforts and the fire within the Chappie Shasta OHV Area

(BLM), 3) Mallory’s manzanita (Arctostaphylos malloryi) within upper Whiskey Creek watershed. 

Monitor for recruitment (BLM); and 4) Howell’s alkali grass (Puccinellia howellii) on NPS lands. 

Monitor for offsite impacts.

 Assess fire effects in High SBS areas

Additional fire effects monitoring on plant succession of the high SBS areas (including Upper 

Clear Creek, and Deadwood Creek), and those that have experienced fire within the past 20 

years can provide additional direction for fire management of these areas. 

Fire History and Past Treatment Effectiveness

Due to aggressive fire suppression tactics over the past hundred years, there has been an 

increase in downed woody debris and ladder fuels that have led to dense fuel loading in mixed 

conifer forest especially within the Grass Valley Creek, Deadwood Creek and Whitney Gulch 

areas observed during field assessments. 

These areas historically experienced high frequency, low severity lightning caused fires that 

were allowed to burn across the landscape following summer thunderstorms. These fires often 

burned until season rain or snow extinguished them in the late fall.

In mixed conifer forest within the Carr fire perimeter, lack of fire has enabled shade tolerant 

conifer species to fill in the understory, and eventually overstock canopies that were once quite 

open and highly resilient to fire.

Mixed conifer forest intergrades with mixed chaparral and there is no distinct boundary 

delineating vegetation communities (refer to Mixed Chaparral discussion above and vegetation 

map). Fire regimes and species composition within these different vegetation communities 

creates varying effects postfire. 

82
Fuel treatment effectiveness was considered when conducting field assessments. Within mixed 

conifer forest areas of the Carr Fire, past fuels treatments objectives were intended to increase 

the mosaic composition of vegetation to increase resiliency and break up fuel continuity and to 

remove dense understory component that could elevate ground fire into the crown; crown fires 

are often highly resistant to control measures. For instance, the Coggins (NPS) 2017 and Buck 

(NPS) 2018 fuels treatments burned at low SBS/veg mortality within the Carr Fire. Active 

management of fuels on a larger landscape scale may help to change fire behavior by 

rearranging continuous fuels in strategic locations over time.

VI. Consultations/Coordination

Julie Kierstad-Nelson-Forest Botanist, Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Brad Rust-Forest Soil Scientist, Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Thomas Garcia-Chief of Wildland Fire, Whiskeytown NRA

Rolland Hall-Fire GIS Specialist, Whiskeytown NRA

Jason Fallon- Deputy Region FMO, Pacific West Region

Daniel O’Connor-Fire Management Specialist, San Bernardino National Forest

Joe Nicholas-Lead Biological Technician, Whiskeytown NRA

Jennifer Gibson-Chief Division of Interpretation and Resource Management, Whiskeytown NRA

Laura Brodhead-Ecologist (Detail), Redding BLM

Tim Bradley-FMO, Redding BLM

Walter Herzog-Northern California FMO, BLM

VII. REFERENCES

Cal-IPC. 2018. California Invasive Plant Council. https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/inventory/. 

CNDDB. 2018. California Natural Diversity Database. US Fish and Wildlife Service 

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB. 

CNPS. 2018. A Manual of CA Vegetation. California Native Plant Society

FEIS. 2018. Fire Effects Information System. https://www.feis-crs.org/feis/. 

NLCD. 2018. National Land Cover Database. https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/national-landcover-database-nlcd-land-cover-collection 

NRCS. 2018. Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of 

Agriculture. Web Soil Survey. Available online at 

https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx Accessed 8/20/2018.

 __________________________________________________________________________

Written by: 

Kerry Johnston, DOI BAER Team Vegetation Specialist, Klamath Falls Field Office, Lakeview 

District BLM kjohnston@BLM.GOV 541-884-4136.

Michael Dolan, DOI BAER Team Vegetation Management Specialist, Dayton, NV 

Heremusgramen@gmail.com 530-640-8686.

83
BURNED AREA EMERGENCY STABILIZATION PLAN

Carr Fire

FORESTRY RESOURCES ASSESSMENT

I. OBJECTIVES

• Identify and mitigate immediate (imminent) and short-term tree hazard threats to 

 life and property and recommend those to be mitigated 

• Determine future tree hazard surveillance needs that were not completed during 

the BAER assignment due to time constraints

• Prescribe treatments to mitigate (tree removal) or abate (target removal) identified 

tree hazards along roads/rec sites not subject to closure 

Tree hazards around trailheads, trails, roads and campgrounds are very prominent within 

the fire perimeter. The foresters of the BAER team spent 10 days assessing and 

designating tree hazards around campgrounds, trailheads, roads and trails on the BLM 

and National Park Service-managed lands. There is still a need to assess more tree 

hazards within road corridors and developed sites. Shallow-rooted species such as 

knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) and gray pine (Pinus sabiniana) pose a threat to life and 

property after being burned. 

II. ISSUES

• Tree hazards along roads and in recreational sites not subject to closure. 

• Responsibility for mitigation/abatement (i.e., jurisdiction, easement, etc.) 

84
• Explore possibility of joint salvage sale with BLM and NPS along County Line 

Road and Coggins Park area 

• Prepare to post signs in closed areas and implement public education program 

III. OBSERVATIONS 

This report addresses known and potential fire effects to forest resources on U.S. Forest 

Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Park Service (NPS) 

lands as a result of the Carr Fire. It specifically addresses issues presented by BLM and 

NPS resources staffs and provides recommendations for emergency treatment. This plan 

may be cited as a justification document to seek outside funding from other sources for 

recommended treatments not covered by Emergency Stabilization (ES) funds. Additional 

supplemental requests may be made after this document has been reviewed and approved. 

Findings and recommendations contained in this assessment are based upon information 

obtained from literature reviews, field reconnaissance of the fire area, Geographic 

Information System (GIS) analyses, personal interviews and meetings with various 

USFS, BLM and NPS natural resource managers and other BAER Team members.

A. Background 

The Carr Fire started on July 23, 2018 as the result of a flat tire on a travel trailer on 

Highway 299 in the western portion of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. 

burned approximately 229,651 acres within Shasta County and Trinity County 

California. 63,127 ac. were within BLM, 38,565 ac. NPS, 30,149 ac. FS, 3,266 ac. 

Bureau of Reclamation and 94,354 ac. were within private or other. Public lands 

around Redding are very popular recreation areas. After the Carr fire, numerous 

hazard trees were created, many occurring around high use trail heads, trails, 

campgrounds and roads. 

A detailed description of fire behavior, spread, and suppression actions is provided in 

the Executive Summary, incident action plans, and Incident Command Team 

Narratives. As of August 26, 2018, the fire was still uncontrolled (94% contained) 

and continued to burn within the control lines already established on the fire. With 

fire growth having been unchanged in the previous week, the management 

complexity of the fire was reduced to a Type 3 incident with minimal resources 

patrolling and supervising the organization currently in place. 

85
B. Forestry Resources

The Carr fire burned a wide variety of vegetation types throughout the fire area. The 

fire burned primarily in vegetation that consists of a knobcone pine-dominated plant 

community, with areas of mixed conifer, oak woodland and chaparral brush species, 

as well as riparian zones along the many creeks that run through the drainages of 

Whiskeytown NRA. Coniferous tree species found in the area include knobcone, 

ponderosa, sugar, and gray pine, Douglas fir, and incense cedar. Hardwood tree 

species include blue oak, black oak, canyon and interior live oak, along with a wide 

variety of well-established riparian species, with big-leaf maple, red alder, and 

dogwood being the dominant species. In the fire area, approximately 56% of the Carr 

Fire is either low/unburned to low soil burn severity, while 39% sustained a moderate 

soil burn severity and 5% burned at high severity. 

C. Reconnaissance, Methodology and Results 

Field assessments were conducted from August 14 to August 24, 2018 by four BAER 

Foresters. Potential areas to be surveyed for tree hazards were identified by staff 

from the NPS and BLM. These agencies identified developed/recreational sites, 

roads, trails, cultural sites, and secondary road corridors within the burned area as 

primary areas of concern for threats to life and property. 

The most significant and heavily-used road is Highway 299 that runs from Redding to 

Weaverville. The fire burned in multiple jurisdictions along the highway, but 

CalTrans was responsible for the majority of tree hazard removals through the fire. 

There are several county roads within the boundaries of Whiskeytown that have not 

historically been maintained for tree hazards, putting the onus on the park to mitigate 

these trees. That has been the case on the Carr fire as well, significantly increasing the 

workload on an already monumental effort that will be required to make these roads 

safe. 

1. Tree Hazards

NPS

In Whiskeytown, short-term (likely to fail within one year) tree hazards were identified 

using the National Park Service (NPS 2015) hazard tree guidelines. These included trees 

that: had been damaged and weakened structurally; were killed outright in the fire; or, 

weakened by crown scorch and/or cambial damage, thus increasing susceptibility to 

subsequent successful bark beetle attack. While not all posed an immediate threat to the 

86
public and administrative users of the road, many that didn’t will deteriorate quickly and 

likely be prone to failure within a year, based on recent observations. 

The purpose of tree hazard surveillance is to identify and evaluate potential hazards--i.e.

determine if a tree is dead or likely to die and/or has a structural defect and poses a threat

to life/property. Trees were assessed for cracks, cat faces, broken limbs, burn damage, 

pathogens and heavy leans toward targets. Surveyed sites were identified on basis of the 

likelihood of targets of life or property being present. The sites were then prioritized by 

using visitor use records and local knowledge. Foresters from the BAER team broke into 

teams of two and conducted tree hazard surveys on BLM, NPS, and USFS managed 

lands, identifying/evaluating immediate tree hazards. The trees were identified with 

“DANGER” orange glow ribbon and painted with blue tree marking paint and tallied 

based on size class/species. 

The 7-Point Rating System utilized by the NPS rates hazard on the basis of a combination 

of defect (including lean) and target. Both tree and the target are each given a rating from 

1-3 (with an extra point for lean) for a possible total rating of 7 for the most severe 

hazards. Although trees were not individually rated for this assignment, each was 

evaluated to confirm defect and potential to inflict property damage or physical injury. 

Those trees with a potential rating of 5 (with a minimum 3 defect) or greater were 

designated with blue tree-marking paint and documented in field notebooks each day. 

Data collected included, besides location, species and dbh (diameter at breast height). 

Several roads within the burned area were surveyed by vehicle to estimate the extent of 

the remaining tree hazard surveillance workload, although no trees were marked for 

removal due to time constraints. In addition, park staff identified several newlydiscovered arch sites and trails needing to be surveyed and evaluated for tree hazard 

potential, prior to opening to the public. 

BLM

The BAER team met with the Redding BLM staff on Aug. 14, 2018 to identify their 

issues and concerns with resource issues related to the Carr Fire. Furthermore, on Aug. 

15, 2018, BAER personnel met with the recreation staff (Bill Kuntz, Sky Zaffarano, Sean 

Stapleton, and Laura Brodhead) to develop the priority areas of the trail system to assess 

for tree hazards. Swasey Drive was identified as the highest priority; however, field 

office staff were in the process of snagging and assessing it. August 14, 16, 17 and 18 

were spent assessing BLM non-motorized trails. On August 19, the crews assessed the 

BLM managed OHV trail system. Numerous trees were observed across the #2 trail as 

well as many standing tree hazards along the trail. Listed in the table under the “findings” 

section in the recreation assessment are the BLM trail systems that were assessed by the 

BAER personnel. Parking lots at trail heads were a focus for the BAER team, as these 

87
areas have stationary targets, and therefore pose a greater threat to human life and 

property. 

Longer- term tree hazards will continue to be dealt with by each of the agencies involved 

as additional trees succumb to the effects of fire.

Values at Risk – The potential values at risk are public safety and infrastructure value 

associated with roads and developed/recreational sites which could be directly damaged 

or impacted by tree failures. These values at risk are delineated within two categories: 

the short-term (1 year post-fire) includes currently identified tree hazards as well as those 

to be detected by spring 2019 surveillance. Long-term (2-5 years post-fire) hazards 

include those trees which succumb to effects of fire in subsequent years. 

Consequences of the Fire on Values at Risk – Values at risk in this assessment include 

the possible loss of life and damage to property. This risk exists in all forest 

environments, but the Carr Fire has exacerbated it as a result of damage to and/or killing 

of trees. While many of the most obvious imminent tree hazards have been eliminated 

(felled) during the fire suppression efforts, there are thousands of trees remaining that 

will need to be removed before areas can be opened to the public. Many of these trees 

have already been identified and marked, but there are still many unidentified hazards. 

These hazards pose an unacceptable risk to the public and employees, if not 

mitigated/abated. They can either be mitigated (felled) alongside roads and 

within/adjacent developed/ recreational sites in the burn area or abated by temporary 

exclusion (road/site closure). 

2. Tree Injury/Damage and Mortality

Post-fire mortality can continue for several years, influenced by numerous factors, 

including: season the injury/damage occurred, pre-fire tree vigor, site quality, extent of 

crown injury, extent of cambium damage, post-fire stand density/competition, post-fire 

climatic conditions, and insect/disease damage. The following guidelines were derived 

primarily from research by Wagener (1961), and Smith and Cluck (2011). 

Season: Conifers are most susceptible to fire injury/damage early in the growing season, 

when stem and twig length growth is active, because growing points are more sensitive to 

heat, and because food reserves (from previous growing season) are at their lowest. 

Retention of sufficient green foliage is necessary to carry the tree through the remainder 

of the growing season and provide some food reserves for the following year. Fires that 

occur after bud set have much less impact on tree survival (Wagener, 1961). 

Tree Vigor/Site Quality: Younger, more vigorous trees on good sites have a better 

chance of survival than over-mature trees on poor sites (Wagener, 1961). Droughtstressed trees have less of a chance for survival (Bulaon, pers.com). 

88
Crown Injury: The amount of live crown remaining, as distinguished from green foliage, 

is the most important single factor in survival of fire-scorched ponderosa and Jeffrey pine 

(Wagener, 1961). Large terminal buds, well protected by scales, are able to withstand 

considerable heat without damage during late season fires. Green needle bases indicate 

that the surrounding parts of the crown are still alive; conversely, darkened needles and 

needles "frozen" in position in the direction of fire-run are unmistakable indicators the 

surrounding crown is dead (Wagener, 1961). Minimum criteria for survival of 

moderately vigorous ponderosa/Jeffrey pine with no or light cambium injury following a 

late season (after August 1) fire are 60% live crown and 15% green foliage (Wagener, 

1961). In species with slender twigs and small terminal buds, such as sugar pine and true 

firs, or those without definite terminal buds, such as incense cedar, foliage kill and bud 

and twig kill are approximately the same as that which will be present in succeeding 

years (Wagener, 1961). Minimum criteria for survival of moderately vigorous trees of 

these species with no or light cambium injury following a late season (after August 1) fire 

are 55% live crown and 45% green foliage (Wagener, 1961). 

Cambium Damage: Ryan (1990) reported that, in the absence of significant crown 

injury, most trees survive up to 25 percent basal girdling, whereas few survive more than 

75 percent. 

Post-Fire Stand Density: Potter and Foxx (1979) reported decreased recovery as stand 

density increased.

In the absence of established guidelines or criteria for knobcone and gray pine, the 

Foresters doing the evaluation used their best judgement for retention of fire-scorched 

crowns for these two species. Very few crown-scorched oaks were marked for removal

as judgement was deferred pending re-evaluation of epicormic sprouting. 

D. Findings

There are many tree hazards as a result of the Carr Fire. The BAER Foresters assessed 

roads, trails and developed areas throughout the fire. On NPS lands, roads, trails and 

developed areas were evaluated and prioritized. Imminent hazards were marked with blue 

paint and flagged to indicate the higher priority (Table 1) . Although not every mile of 

trail on BLM lands could be walked due to time constraints, there are numerous 

additional hazard trees along trails and roads. 

89
Table 1. NPS Developed Sites Surveyed & Tree Hazards Identified/Marked 

 

Developed Sites

Number of Identified/Marked Tree 

Hazards by Dbh (Diameter Breast 

Height) Class

≤8” 10-24” 24+” Totals

Grizzly Gulch Wastewater Treatment Plant 13 82 2 97*

Grizzly Gulch Boat Storage/Residence 8 24 3 35*

Building #318 1 2 1 4*

Building #324/Road 4 21 4 29*

JFK Memorial 6 28 2 36*

Peltier Campground 0 1 0 1

Brandy Creek Beach Picnic Area 0 4 1 5

Brandy Creek RV Campground 2 3 0 5

Dry Creek Campground Parking Lot 0 1 0 1

Dry Creek Campground 9 6 0 15

NEED Camp 1 3 0 4

Whiskey Creek Picnic Area/Boat Launch 20 59 2 81*

Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area 1 3 4 8

Oak Bottom Marina/Amphitheater 0 7 0 7

Oak Bottom Campground 11 12 0 23

Camden House/Eldorado Mine 7 9 1 17

Crystal Falls Picnic Area 3 2 0 5

Coggins Park Campground 0 5 3 8

Clear Creek Picnic Area 0 3 1 4

 

90
Developed Sites

Number of Identified/Marked Tree 

Hazards by Dbh (Diameter Breast 

Height) Class

≤8” 10-24” 24+” Totals

Crystal Creek Campground 0 0 1 1

Brandy Creek Campground 0 3 0 3

East Beach 0 1 0 1

“Dropbox” (NPS Trash Consolidation Area) 1 7 0 8

Dry Creek Waterhead 6 9 3 18

Whiskey Creek H2O Tank 29 17 0 46

Headquarters 0 0 0 0

Sheep Camp Campground 0 2 0 2

Whiskeytown Cemetery (County) 7 15 0 22

TOTALS 129 329 28 486

* Includes both immediate (imminent) and short-term tree hazards

Table 2. NPS/County Roads Surveyed & Tree Hazards Identified/Marked 

Roads 

Total

Length

(Mi)

Surveyed

Length

(Mi)

Number of Identified/Marked Tree 

Hazards by Dbh (Diameter Breast 

Height) Class

≤8” 10-24” 24+” Totals

JFK Parkway 5.8 3.3 81 102 5 188

Paige Bar Rd. 35 19 1 55

Whiskey Cr. Group Picnic Area Rd. 0 7 0 7

Qtrs.#402 H2O Tank Rd. 1 4 0 5

Crystal Creek Rd. 0 5 0 5

County-Line Rd. -- -- -- --

Whiskey Creek Rd. 1.4 1.4 31 41 8 80*

91
Qtrs. #324 H2O Tank Rd. 1 6 1 8

Dry Creek Waterhead/Rd. 7 23 5 35

TOTALS 156 207 20 383

* Includes both immediate (imminent) and short-term tree hazards

Table 3. NPS Trails Surveyed & Tree Hazards Identified/Marked 

Trails

Total

Length

(Mi)

Surveyed

Length

(Mi)

Number of Identified/Marked Tree 

Hazards by Dbh (Diameter Breast 

Height) Class

≤8” 10-24” 24+” Totals

Crystal Cr. Ditch Trail 2.1 2.1 1 10 4 15

Whiskeytown Falls Trail 1.7 1.7 2 2 0 4

TOTALS 3 12 4 19

* Includes both immediate (imminent) and short-term tree hazards

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

The Carr Fire, encompassing almost 239,000 acres, has created an environment of increased 

risk for BLM and park users. BLM and park users are, and will continue to be, exposed to 

increased risk and potential injury due to tree hazards falling in road corridors as well as in 

developed/recreational sites within fire perimeter for many years. There are thousands of 

dead trees throughout the park that will continue to rot and fail over time. Specifications 

were developed to reduce the number of tree hazards in the park and to improve the safety of 

employees and visitors working and visiting the park. 

Trees will continue to die over time which will require constant monitoring, surveillance and 

mitigation to assure that the park is safe to visit and work in. Roads, trails and developed 

areas may need to be closed until areas are determined to be safe.

A. General Recommendations

• Abate identified/potential (unidentified) tree hazards by road/site closures pending tree 

hazard surveillance/mitigation.

92
• Complete tree hazard surveillance along roads and within developed/ recreational sites. 

• Mitigate identified tree hazards prior to re-opening roads/sites within the burn area. 

• Post appropriate signage warning the public of the potential risk associated with 

unidentified tree hazards along the roads and within developed/recreational sites. 

B. Specification-Related Recommendations 

• NPS-1-ES Short-Term Tree Hazard Surveillance by NPS -- Complete surveillance 

for short-term tree hazards along sections of paved and unpaved NPS and County roads 

and developed sites in Whiskeytown NRA. Some of the roads and most of developed 

areas have already been surveyed, but, only for immediate/imminent hazards. There are 

approximately 90 miles of roads and approximately 95 acres of developed areas that still 

need to be surveyed/ resurveyed. 

• NPS-2-ES Short-Term Tree Hazard Mitigation by NPS -- Complete mitigation of 

identified short-term tree hazards along paved and unpaved NPS and County roads and 

developed sites in Whiskeytown NRA. Includes approximately 788 unmitigated 

previously- identified tree hazards, as well as those to be identified by short-term 

surveillance. 

• NPS-3-BAR Long-Term Tree Hazard Surveillance by NPS (BAR)--Complete 

surveillance for long-term tree hazards along paved and unpaved NPS and County roads 

and developed sites in Whiskeytown NRA. 

• NPS-17-ES, Tree hazard mitigation on trails 

The fire burned over most of the 70 miles of trail, creating a significant tree hazard safety 

issue for the public. All trails will be surveilled and mitigated.

• BLM-8-ES, Tree hazard mitigation on roads 

The fire burned over most of the 48 miles of roads, creating a significant tree hazard 

safety issue for the public. All roads will be surveilled and mitigated.

• BLM-10-ES, Tree hazard mitigation on trails

The fire burned over most of the 150 miles of trail, creating a significant tree hazard 

safety issue for the public. All trails will be surveilled and mitigated.

V. NON-SPECIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS

• NPS/BLM entertain possibility of joint salvage timber sale along county-Line Road

93
VI. CONSULTATIONS

Laura Brodhead, Forest Ecologist, BLM Redding Field Office, Redding, CA 

Jennifer Gibson, Chief Division of Resources Management and Interpretation, 

Whiskeytown NRA 

Pete Angwin, Plant Pathologist, USFS Northern CA Forest Health Protection, 

Redding, CA 

Cynthia Snyder, Entomologist, USFS Northern CA Forest Health Protection, 

Redding, CA 

Tom Warner, Forester, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Three Rivers, CA 

Steve Femmel, Forester, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Whiskeytown, CA 

Zack Stewart, Forester, Cottonwood Field Office, Cottonwood, ID 

Eric Rhodenbaugh, Forester, Fort Washakie, WY 

94
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

BLM-1-ES Archeological Site Protection Patrols

BLM-2-ES Archeological Site Condition Assessments

BLM-3-ES Previously Assessed Historic Property Stabilization

BLM-4-ES Kett Ethnographic Site Stabilization

BLM-5-ES Charley Brownstein Grave Stabilization

BLM-6-ES Cultural Resource Compliance

BLM-7-ES AML Mine Site Mitigation

BLM-8-ES Tree Hazard Mitigation - Trails

BLM-9-ES Trail Infrastructure Repair 

BLM-10-ES Tree Hazard Mitigation - Trails

BLM-11-BAR Out Year Trail Increased Trail Maintenance

BLM-12-ES Minor Facilities Repair- Shooting Range

BLM-13-BAR Minor Facilities Repair- Amphitheater

BLM-14-ES Invasive Species-EDRR

BLM-15-BAR Invasive Species- EDRR

BLM-16-ES Storm patrol

BLM-17-ES Culvert Clear-out/Pre-storm

BLM-18-ES Hazard Warning Signs- Roads/Trails

BLM-19-ES Swasey Basin Cleanout

BLM-20-ES Post-Condition Assessment Stabilization

BLM-21-BAR Monitoring Invasive Species

BLM-22-ES Short Term AML Safety Fencing

BLM-23-ES Implementation Leader

BLM-24-BAR Implementation Leader

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NPS-1-ES Tree Hazard Surveillance

NPS-2-ES Tree Hazard Mitigation

NPS-3-BAR Tree Hazard Surveillance

NPS-4-ES Invasive Species- EDRR

NPS-5-BAR Invasive Species-EDRR

NPS-6-ES Historic Blacksmith Shop Stabilization

NPS-7-ES Historic El Dorado Mine Stabilization

NPS-8-ES Historic Redwood Tank Dismantle and Storage

NPS-9-ES Historic Stone House Stabilization

NPS-10-ES Archeological Site Protection Patrols

NPS-11-ES Archeological Site Condition Assessments

NPS-12-ES Historic Crystal Creek Ditch Stabilization

NPS-13-ES Previously Assessed Historic Property Stabilization

NPS-14-ES Cultural Resource Compliance

NPS-15-ES AML Mine Safety Mitigation

TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

ES-Emergency Stabilization Funding Activity

BAR - Burned Area Rehab Funding Activity
NPS-16-ES Trail Infrastructure Repair

NPS-17-ES Tree Hazard Mitigation-Roads

NPS-18-BAR Out-year Increased Trail Maintenance

NPS-19-BAR Minor Facilities Repair

NPS-20-ES Culvert Cleanout/Pre-Storm

NPS-21-ES Storm Patrol

NPS-22-ES Hazard Warning Signs-Roads-tails

NPS-23-ES Structure Protection

NPS-24-ES Potable Water Source Protection

NPS-25-ES Engineering Evaluation-Boulder Crk

NPS-26-ES Post-Condition Site Assessment Stabilization

NPS-27-BAR Monitoring Invasive Species

NPS-28-ES Short Term AML Safety Fencing

NPS-29-ES Implementation Leader

NPS-30-BAR Implementation Leader

NPS-31-ES Remove Debris and Hazard Materials from Burned Structures

USDA FOREST SERVICE

USFS-1-ES Invasive Species EDRR

USFS-2-ES Storm Patrol

USFS-3-ES Culvert Cleanout Pre-Storm

USFS-4-ES Hazard Warning Signs
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Archaeological Site Protection 

Patrols - BLM

Spec-#

BLM-1-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protect Heritage Resources WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES NA

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources

Patrol and protect over 300 known Archaeological sites that are at risk of looting and vandalism because the 

fire removed vegetation that was camouflaging artifacts and features. This treatment will protect exposed 

sensitive pre-contact and historic cultural resources and deter looters. This is a temporary measure until 

vegetation recovers on the sites and conceals artifacts and features or until other protection measures are 

enacted.

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: 

Patrol selected pre-contact and historic sites and localities to monitor for site looting and vandalism. Tribal 

Monitors or a BLM seasonal archaeologist will report instances of site looting or vandalism to agency 

archaeologists who will notify Law Enforcement of the infractions. Patrols will occur on BLM lands within 

the burn area and at select areas affected by suppression impacts which may be outside of the fire 

perimeter.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Burned area and adjacent areas where suppression activities affected cultural resources. Information 

specific to the location and description of cultural resources is sensitive and exempt from public disclosure 

under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 and the Freedom of Information Act. BLM 

archaeologists will provide site location information to tribal monitors and a seasonal employee. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. BLM Archaeologists will coordinate monitoring patrols with Certified Tribal Monitors from the 

Redding Rancheria and Wintu tribal organizations. 

2. Monitors will undertake systematic and discretionary patrols along public trails and roads. 

3. A seasonal BLM Archaeologist will monitor sites that are in remote areas with more difficult 

access.

4. Monitors will document instances of looting, vandalism, erosion, deposition, site deterioration and 

patrol events and will report this information to BLM Archaeologists.

5. Monitors will not make contact with individuals encountered at archaeological sites.

6. BLM Archaeologists will provide looting or vandalism information to law enforcement for action.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

To protect exposed sensitive historic and prehistoric cultural resources and deter looters. This is a 

temporary measure until sufficient green-up occurs to conceal some cultural materials, and other 

protective measures are enacted. 

98
Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

a. Agency cultural resource personnel and Tribal monitors will monitor sites for condition and

evidence of looting and degradation

b. A second measure of effectiveness will be the number of law enforcement actions taken upon

report of violations.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County, California. Decision Record and Finding of No 

Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, CA-360-EA-2004-23

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

a. Undertake systematic and discretionary monitoring patrols to prevent looting and vandalism at

archaeological sites.

b. Provide information to law enforcement for action.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

BLM archaeologists will coordinate monitoring activities and will track areas monitored, evidence of looting, 

vandalism or degradation at sites, number of people observed in the vicinity of sites or suspicious behaviors, 

and subsequent actions taken by law enforcement of reported violations

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

1. Post-Fire site condition assessments will be used as a baseline for tracking evidence of looting or

vandalism at sites.

2. Tribal monitors in coordination with BLM archaeologists will make multiple visits to areas identified as

sensitive and document occurrences of looting, vandalism or degradation on sites or the presence of

suspicious individuals in the area.

3. BLM archaeologists will provide oversight of monitoring activities and will document patrol events.

4. Monitoring will occur within the first year after the fire or until vegetation becomes re-established on

sites and obscures artifacts and features, or other protective measures have been effectively

enacted.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

99
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Archaeological Site Condition 

Assessments - BLM

Spec-#

BLM-2-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK No IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources

Conduct Archaeological Site Condition Assessments at archaeological sites within the fire perimeter to assess 

potential damage to cultural resources from post-fire effects and to prescribe treatments for the emergency 

stabilization and rehabilitation of sites and structures to prevent adverse effects from post-fire erosion and 

other fire related effects and impacts.

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: 

This specification addresses the need for additional site condition assessments on Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) lands within the 2018 Carr Fire boundaries. Twenty-one archeological sites on BLM

lands affected by the 2018 Carr Fire were inspected for site condition during the initial BAER planning and 

assessment process. However, it was not possible to inspect all sites potentially affected by the fire due to 

limited cultural resource personnel capacity, logistics accessing sites, quantity of sites, and time 

constraints. As a result, 61 known BLM managed archaeological sites require post-fire condition 

assessments. 

Site visits will allow staff to assess potential damage to cultural resources and prescribe treatments for the 

emergency stabilization and rehabilitation of the sites and structures to avoid adverse effects from postfire erosion and other fire related effects and impacts. Assessments will include time for conducting 

additional record searches, tribal consultation, GIS data development and management, and 

management of photos and other field collected data. Consultations with the California State Historic 

Preservation Officer, American Indian tribes and groups will be conducted prior to prescribing treatments 

to minimize or mitigate post-fire related effects to cultural resources.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Sixty-one (61) pre-contact and historic sites within the Carr-Fire perimeters located on BLM lands will be 

assessed. Cultural resource locations are exempt from public disclosure under the Archaeological 

Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA), and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Assess 61 sites within the Carr-Fire perimeter located on BLM lands

2. A GS-11 archeologist will supervise the work of a GS-7 archeological technician (BLM-6-ES). 

3. Assessment information of each site will be recorded on an Emergency Post-Fire Inspection Form; 

field notes and photographs will be taken at each site; and GPS data and other information will be 

collected and used for sketching threatened or disturbed cultural features or associated items at each 

site

101
4. A determination will be made if emergency stabilization is needed to preserve significant information 

from hazard trees, potential precipitation events or winter weather events (BLM-20-ES).

5. Prescribed treatments for each assessed archaeological site will consider consultation results 

between the State Historic Preservation Officer, American Indian tribes and groups, and the BLM.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Site assessments are necessary to determine if emergency stabilization is needed to preserve significant 

archaeological and cultural resources at sites during the first year after the fire. Assessments are 

necessary to evaluate and document the risk to archaeological and cultural resources from the effects of 

post-fire flooding, debris flows, severe erosion, looting of exposed artifacts and possible sub-surface 

materials. Treatment recommendations will be commensurate with disturbances and threats or “risk” at 

each site.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Part of the BLM mission is to minimize adverse impacts on cultural resources and values of the public 

lands they manage (FLPMA 1976). Without baseline data derived from on-site condition assessments, 

impacts to historic properties from the fire could not be quantified, thus statistically significant information 

could not be developed for making emergency stabilization recommendations and treatment 

specifications at individual sites. Without this baseline data, unassessed sites could deteriorate, adverse 

effects could occur (800.5.A.2.vi), and potential risks such as exposed human remains and other 

NAGPRA issues or inadvertent discoveries could arise and become problematic. Without these site 

assessments, it would be unknown if erosion of intact cultural deposits are at risk of eroding or 

depositional processes. If direct and indirect fire effects or “risk” is not immediately identified and 

addressed, erosional/depositional issues could exponentially reduce site integrity and potentially increase 

future data recovery and stabilization costs, and possibly negatively affecting tribal relations. 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

- Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

- Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, 

Redding Resource Area, California. 1993

- Directors Order #28, Cultural Resource Management Guidelines June 11, 1998

- 36 CFR 800.5.A.2.vi

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

- Condition assessments will be conducted on known/documented pre-contact and historic archaeological 

sites within the Carr fire perimeter and determinations made if emergency stabilization treatments are 

needed at individual locations 

- Baseline data will be collected from which informed decisions can be made that will guide treatment 

recommendations for protecting and preserving historic properties at risk from post-fire effects

- Sites will be assessed for potential risks from erosion, looting, vandalism or other direct or indirect threats 

caused by or as a result of the fire 

- Site condition assessments will include the identification of safety hazards (open adits and shafts) at 

historic mining sites and work with AML staff on these sites.

- Visiting individual site locations will help ground truth and improve burn severity model data that could be 

used for assessing areas that may have a high probability of undocumented sites 

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored:

102
- A BAER site assessment form or a similar form will be completed for each of the 61 historic properties

assessed.

- GS-11 archeologist will provide a brief progress report (one page or less) that will summarize bi-weekly

progress of the GS-7 archeological technician’s after assessing 20 sites, then a second progress report

of the same length will be written that will summarize the results of the GS-7 archeological technician’s

progress after the next 20 site assessments

- A final third report (site assessment summary report) will be written that will summarize the results of the

last 21 sites assessed, and will summarize the assessments at all 61 sites

- The third and final report will identify any potential issues with erosion, looting, vandalism or other direct

or indirect threats caused by or as a result of the fire, and will identify any safety hazards

- Each report will be provided to the BLM’s Cultural Resource Manager within a reasonable time frame in

order to monitor the quantity and quality of the GS-7 archeological technician’s data collected, and to

allow time for planning site visits and or modifications to data collection and condition assessment

methods and or treatment recommendations

- Management of photos of assessed sites will be conducted and reviewed.

- GIS data will be collected and reviewed in ArcMap

- Emergency stabilization treatments and related assessment data will be reviewed in GIS metadata

developed for point lines or polygons derived from field data collection

- Emergency Post-Fire Inspection Forms containing site assessment data and treatment

recommendations will be added to existing site forms and will be reviewed by BLM’s Cultural Resource

Lead Specialist

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

- At least 61 sites will have emergency stabilization treatment prescriptions

- The GS-7 archeological technician will be on site to monitor stabilization and treatment implementation

- Field notes and georeferenced photos will be taken of stabilization and treatment operations

- GPS data will be collected during stabilization and treatment operations that will assist in documentation

and monitoring stabilization and treatment processes

- GS-11 archeologist will spot check stabilization and treatment implementation at chosen or randomly

selected sites over the course of one year or during emergency stabilization operations

- Meetings between the GS-7, GS-11 and BLM’s Cultural Resource Lead Specialist

- will occur after each progress report is submitted or when necessary

- A final monitoring report will be written that will summarize results of the completed treatment

specifications and will be appended to the final site assessment summary report

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL COST

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (Item @ Cost/Each X Quantity X #Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): COST / ITEM

TOTAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLY COST

103
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Previously Assessed Historic 

Property Stabilizations 

Spec-#

BLM-3-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources 

Remove hazard trees within the perimeter and/or immediate vicinity of known, significant cultural features and 

archaeological sites have the potential to adversely affect cultural resources when they ultimately fall. These 

trees also pose a risk to archaeological personnel conducting site assessments and monitoring activities. 

Existing exclusionary fencing damaged by the fire similarly put sites at risk of unwanted pedestrian and 

vehicular access and increased looting potential. The removal of hazard trees and repair of existing 

exclusionary fence will help to mitigate further damage to significant sites managed by the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) Redding Field Office. 

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: Indirect impacts from the Carr Fire are, or have the potential to further degrade 

important attributes of cultural features or archaeological sites on lands managed by the BLM Redding 

Field Office that fall within the fire perimeter. This specification consists of three components: (1) Clear 

fire-killed trees and fallen trees from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed 

hazard trees to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; and (3) Repair existing 

exclusionary fencing surrounding sites to discourage access. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

(1) Fire killed hazard trees within site boundaries at eleven (11) known archaeological sites or historic 

structures within the Carr Fire perimeter on BLM Redding Field Office-managed lands, specifically 

including: the Niagara Mill stacked rock foundation north of French Gulch (CA-SHA-2291, CA-030-579); 

Charley Brownstein’s gravesite along Highway 299 (no trinomial, CA-030-367); the Kett Site (CA-SHA491, CA-030-008); site Keswick Dam #4 at Ribbon Bridge (CA-SHA-1448, CA-030-188); the Keswick 

Hotel (CA-SHA-2431, CA-030-337); China Gulch Foundation (CA-030-1716, no trinomial); a site in the 

Rock Creek drainage with an arrastra and petroglyph (CA-SHA-2419, CA-030-600); an arrastra in the 

Swasey area (CA-SHA-1783, CA-030-387); and three sites (CA-SHA-1544 [CA-030-097], CA-SHA-1991 

[CA-030-423], CA-SHA-2424 [CA-030-421]) in Swasey ACEC. 

(2) Repair/reconstruct existing exclusionary fencing surrounding all or portions of five (5) known 

archaeological sites or historic structures within the Carr Fire perimeter on BLM Redding Field Officemanaged lands: The Kett Site (CA-SHA-491, CA-030-008); site Keswick Dam #4 at Ribbon Bridge (CASHA-1448, CA-030-188); and three sites (CA-SHA-1544 [CA-030-097], CA-SHA-1991 [CA-030-423], CASHA-2424 [CA-030-421]) in Swasey ACEC. The existing fence at CA-SHA-1448 (CA-030-188) 

surrounded three sides of the site pre-fire; the remaining boundary will be fenced so as to effectively close 

off the western extent of the site. 

Additional sites will be identified for fire killed hazard tree removal as assessments are completed on 61 

remaining sites prioritized for assessment and not previously visited during the incident. These sites will 

necessitate comparable levels and types of treatments to those specifications previously described 

above.

105
Design/Construction Specifications: 

(1) Removal of fire killed hazard trees identified as a threat to known archaeological sites or as a hazard

to archaeology crew members conducting site assessments, and removal of trees that have fallen onto

archaeological features within site boundaries. Tree and log removal, either through chipping, directional

felling, or lop and scatter methods, will be completed by BLM fuels crew personnel with on-site guidance

from BLM archaeology personnel on hazard tree location and directional falling preference (if any).

Chipping will be accomplished utilizing up to two chippers that the BLM Redding Field Office currently

own. All required training and certification for such work is to be completed prior to the initiation of

fieldwork.

(2) Repair/reconstruction of existing exclusionary fence line surrounding previously identified sites. The

BLM Force Account will complete fence repair with on-site guidance from BLM archaeology personnel.

The work is designed to exclude pedestrian and vehicular traffic on-site and decrease looting potential. All

work will be completed in FY19.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Hazard trees pose a continued threat to archaeological resources and the personnel responsible for 

managing those resources on-site until they are successfully felled and removed. Surface features such 

as dry stacked rock foundations can be toppled by falling trees, and subsurface features such as 

housepits can be disturbed by uprooted root balls. Chipping and/or lop and scatter methods will effectively 

disperse downed fuels while also helping to stabilize surface soils and make surface artifacts less visible 

and susceptible to looting. Directional falling perpendicular to site slopes can also reduce erosion potential 

where appropriate. 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Proposed treatments will effectively protect some of the most significant archaeological resources within 

the fire perimeter on BLM Redding Field Office-managed lands. Should proposed treatments not take 

place, the cost of mitigation efforts after site damage and/or disturbance occurs will greatly exceed 

treatment costs. All work will be conducted in-house by BLM Redding Field Office permanent and 

seasonal staff, reducing costs, streamlining treatment timelines, and increasing overall efficiency by 

having personnel work together in the field at the same time to make determinations that most effectively 

protect archaeological resources. Work will predominately be accomplished utilizing equipment (chippers, 

vehicles, saws, trailers) already owned by the BLM as well as, eliminating the need for equipment rental 

and/or additional equipment purchases save for an additional GSA vehicle for an archaeological 

technician (GS-07). 

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County, California. Decision Record and Finding of No 

Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, CA-360-EA-2004-23

106
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Kett Ethnographic Site Stabilization Spec-# BLM-4-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources 

Stabilize post-fire effects at the Kett Site (CA-SHA-491, CA-030-008) also known as the ethnographic Wintu 

“resting place (Phu-rus-topi)” or No-Sai. The site contains extensive midden deposits, and at least eight 

housepit features. Hazard trees, destroyed split rail exclusionary fencing, increased access potential, and 

increased site surface visibility put the site at further risk of damage and disturbance should treatment 

measures not be undertaken. All proposed on-site treatments should be undertaken after consultation with the 

Wintu Tribe has been completed, particularly the replacement of existing on-site signage. 

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: 

Impacts from the Carr Fire have the potential to degrade one of the most significant Wintu Ethnographic 

sites on lands managed by the BLM Redding Field Office within the Carr Fire perimeter. This specification 

consists of four components: (1) Clear fire killed hazard trees and fallen trees from resources; (2) Lop and 

scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed hazard trees in ways that reduce site surface visibility, 

reduce erosion potential, restrict site access, and decrease fuel loading; (3) Reconstruct exclusionary split 

rail fencing or similar fencing surrounding the burial area to discourage access; and (4) Replace the 

burned wooden sign near the exclusionary fencing after consultation with the Wintu Tribe. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

(1) Fire killed hazard trees within or adjacent to site boundaries, particularly near housepit features at the 

center of the site, the designated burial area to the southeast, and along access routes to the north of the 

site where unauthorized OHV access is most likely to occur. 

(2) Reconstruct existing exclusionary split rail or similar fencing surrounding the burial area within the 

footprint of the previous fence line. Fence line measures 42 feet (east-west) by 45 feet (north-south) and 

encompasses the known extent of the burial area.

(3) Chip, lop and scatter, or directionally fall hazard trees as appropriate. Lop and scatter and/or chipping 

should occur within the site boundary on exposed surface soils. Directional falling should take place along 

the northwestern extent of the site along the two-track access road so that trees may be placed 

perpendicular to the road. 

(4) Replace signage at previous location using original posts; this is dependent on the outcome of 

consultation efforts with the Wintu Tribe. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

(1) Removal of fire killed hazard trees identified as a threat to the previously identified feature areas and 

other yet-to-be identified areas of concern on-site, or as a hazard to archaeology crew members 

conducting site assessments/monitoring, and removal of trees that have fallen onto archaeological 

features within site boundaries. In addition, tree and log removal, either through chipping, directional 

felling, or lop and scatter methods, is to be completed by BLM fuels crew personnel with on-site guidance 

from BLM archaeology personnel on hazard tree location and directional falling preference (if any).

109
Chipping will be accomplished utilizing up to two chippers that the BLM currently own. All required 

training and certification for such work is to be completed prior to the initiation of fieldwork. 

(2) Reconstruction of existing exclusionary split fence line surrounding previously identified burial area.

(3) Replace existing burned signage on-site with metal signage instead of the original wood, and with

Wintu tribal input taken into consideration. The BLM Force Account will complete fence and signage

reconstruction with on-site guidance from BLM archaeology personnel. The work is designed to exclude

pedestrian traffic on-site and decrease looting potential. All work will be completed in FY19.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Hazard trees pose a continued threat to archaeological resources and the personnel responsible for 

managing those resources on-site until they are successfully felled and removed. Subsurface features 

such as housepits and burials can be disturbed by uprooted root balls. Chipping and/or lop and scatter 

methods will effectively disperse downed fuels while also helping to stabilize surface soils and make 

surface artifacts less visible and susceptible to looting. Directional falling perpendicular to site slopes can 

also reduce erosion potential where appropriate, and will effectively close existing access routes without 

drawing additional unwanted attention to the area. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness:

Proposed treatments will effectively protect one of the most significant archaeological and Native 

American Spiritual resources to the Wintu Tribe within the fire perimeter on BLM managed lands. Should 

proposed treatments not take place, the cost of mitigation efforts after site damage and/or disturbance 

occurs will greatly exceed treatment costs, particularly if human remains are exposed or disturbed. All 

work will be conducted in-house by BLM Redding Field Office permanent and seasonal staff, reducing 

costs, streamlining treatment timelines, and increasing overall efficiency by allowing personnel to work in 

the field at the same time to make determinations that most effectively protect archaeological resources.

Work will predominately be accomplished utilizing equipment (chippers, vehicles, saws, trailers) already 

owned by the BLM Redding Field Office as well as, eliminating the need for equipment rental and/or 

additional equipment purchases save for an additional GSA vehicle for an archaeological technician (GS07). 

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: Stabilization and protection of significant archaeological sites and/or features

directly affected by the Carr Fire through fire-killed hazard tree removal, exclusionary fence reconstruction, 

sign replacement, and a combination of chipping, lop and scatter, and directional falling to disperse 

downed trees, reduce erosion potential, discourage unauthorized access, and obscure site surfaces to 

decrease the possibility of looting.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored: Work to stabilize the site and immediate vicinity will

be physically monitored by BLM archaeology staff. On-site monitoring conducted during treatment will

ensure that work is conducted to the standards of BLM archaeology staff. 

110
Work Agent: C=Coop Agreement, F=Force Account, G=Grantee, P=Permittees, S=Service Contract, T=Timber 

Sales Purchaser, V=Volunteer

SOURCE OF COST ESTIMATE

1. Estimate obtained from 2-3 independent contractual sources.

2. Documented cost figures from similar project work obtained from local agency sources. M, T

3. Estimate supported by cost guides from independent sources or other federal agencies

4. Estimates based upon government wage rates and material cost. P

5. No cost estimate required - cost charged to Fire Suppression Account

P = Personnel Services, E = Equipment M = Materials/Supplies, T = Travel, C = Contract, F = Suppression

RELEVANT DETAILS, MAPS AND DOCUMENTATION INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT: 

Sign constructed at Kett Site. Sign originally read: “Phu-rus-topi” “1875 Wintu Resting Place 1927” “Public Law 

95-341 and 96-95 and the California Health and Safety Code Sections 7052, 7500, 8101, and 8102 Prohibit 

Disturbing These Sacred Grounds”. Revisions are recommended to signage language. 

112
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Charley Brownstein Grave

Stabilization

Spec-#

BLM-5-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources 

Stabilize post-fire effects at the Charley Brownstein Gravesite (CA-030-367). The gravesite is a highly visible, 

historic (1864) period infant burial, located on BLM land, that represents the last evident gravesite of the 

Shasta Hebrew Congregation Jewish Cemetery established in 1857. Fire killed hazard trees threaten to 

impact the site and pose a risk to the individuals who visit the gravesite. Footpath erosion also poses a risk to 

the gravesite and the pedestrians who utilize it. The removal of hazard trees, reconstruction of footpath 

handrail, steps, and railroad tie border, and construction of a French drain at the base of the stairs and slope

will help to mitigate further damage to a significant site managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Redding Field Office.

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: State Park and E Clampus Vitus signage direct motorists from the northern 

shoulder of Highway 299 (approximately 0.5 miles west of Shasta) down a roughly 120-foot pedestrian 

path to the gravesite proper. The gravesite is of public significance to the nearby community of Shasta, 

the local Jewish community, and represents an accessible tourist stop that receives high volume 

visitation. Impacts from the Carr Fire are, or have the potential to further degrade a highly visible and 

locally significant historic infant gravesite. This specification consists of four components: (1) clear fire 

killed hazard trees from the immediate vicinity of the gravesite and footpath; (2) lop and scatter, chip, 

and/or directionally fell fire killed hazard trees in ways that reduce site surface visibility, reduce erosion

potential, restrict site access, and decrease fuel loading; (3) reconstruct footpath steps, adjacent handrail, 

railroad tie boundary, and sign post (2) access; and (4) construct French drain at base of stairs/slope to 

divert water and erosion potential away from gravesite as it flows downslope along the footpath. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: The gravesite is located on the north side of Highway 299, approximately 0.5 

miles west of the town of Shasta. The gravesite is located just outside of the CalTrans Right-of-Way. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Remove fire killed hazard trees from the edge of the CalTrans Right-of-Way and adjacent to the 

gravesite which pose a threat to the gravesite, other buried features in the vicinity, and to visitors to the 

historic site.

2. Chipping and/or lop and scatter methods will effectively disperse downed fuels while also helping to 

stabilize surface soils

3. Reconstruction of burned wooden step treads, the safety handrail on the downslope side of the stairs, 

and a railroad tie border around the gravesite which stabilized the area around the grave pre-fire.. 

4. Replace two 4x4 sign posts in the turnout on the highway shoulder.

5. Construct a French drain at the base of the stairs to divert erosion potential. 

The BLM Redding Field Office Force Account will complete step, handrail, border, and signage 

reconstruction with on-site guidance from BLM Redding Field Office archaeology personnel. The work 

is designed to provide safe pedestrian access to the site, while preventing erosion potential. All work 

will be completed in FY19. 

113
Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Hazard trees pose a continued threat to archaeological resources and the personnel responsible for 

managing those resources on-site until they are successfully felled and removed. Subsurface features 

such as burials can be disturbed by uprooted root balls. Chipping and/or lop and scatter methods will 

effectively disperse downed fuels while also helping to stabilize surface soils. Wooden step treads and 

the downslope handrail were burned during the fire resulting in an unsafe surface for pedestrian access to 

the site. The French drain and replacement of the railroad tie border around the grave will provide greater 

erosion protection for the gravesite.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness:

Proposed treatments will effectively protect a locally significant historic Site in the community of Shasta

within the fire perimeter on BLM Redding Field Office-managed lands. Should proposed treatments not 

take place, the cost of mitigation efforts after site damage and/or disturbance occurs will greatly exceed 

treatment costs, particularly if human remains are exposed or disturbed. All work will be conducted inhouse by BLM Redding Field Office permanent and seasonal staff, reducing costs, streamlining treatment 

timelines, and increasing overall efficiency by allowing personnel to work together in the field to make 

determinations that most effectively protect archaeological resources. 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: Stabilization and protection of a significant historic site and potential buried

features directly affected by the Carr Fire through fire-killed hazard tree removal, footpath step 

reconstruction, sign post reconstruction, construction of a French drain at the base of the stairs, and a 

combination of chipping, lop and scatter, and directional falling to disperse downed trees, and reduce 

erosion potential. 

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored: Work to stabilize the site and immediate vicinity will 

be physically monitored by BLM Redding Field Office archaeology staff. On-site monitoring conducted 

during treatment will ensure that work is conducted to the standards of BLM Redding Field Office 

archaeology staff. Monitoring efforts will additionally include photo documentation, field notes, and a 

report that will be prepared following the completion of stabilization efforts. 

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time 

period: BLM Redding Field Office archaeology staff will conduct periodic post-treatment monitoring of the 

site at regular intervals. Interval schedule and overall duration will be determined by archaeology staff. 

114
Burned stair treads and handrail.

116
Burned railroad ties around gravesite.

117
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Cultural Resource Compliance Spec-# BLM-6-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Sites FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protect Heritage Sites WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources

Fund a GS-7 Archaeologist to complete Archaeological Site Condition Assessments (BLM-2-ES), 

Assessed Historic Property Stabilizations (BLM-3-ES), and Archaeological Site Protection Patrols (BLM-1-

ES) and will fulfill Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance activities associated with other 

specifications developed for treatments as a result of the Carr Fire.

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: 

Complete tasks identified in other specifications - Archaeological Site Condition Assessments (BLM-2-

ES), Assessed Historic Property Stabilizations (BLM-3-ES), and Archaeological Site Protection Patrols 

(BLM-1-ES) and will fulfill Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance activities associated with other 

specifications developed for treatments as a result of the Carr Fire.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Pre-contact and historic sites on lands managed by the BLM Redding Field Office within and immediately 

adjacent to the Carr Fire.

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Conduct Site Condition Assessments on known pre-contact and historic sites on BLM managed 

lands within the Carr Fire. Assess erosion and stabilization needs for each site, document postfire condition, and recommend necessary treatments to prevent further degradation to sites.

2. Monitor stabilization treatments, primarily hazard tree removal, on sites that have had condition 

assessment recommendations. 

3. Conduct site protection patrols at a variety of locations, primarily remote locations not readily 

accessible by tribal monitors, and report instances of site looting or vandalism to agency 

archaeologists who will notify Law Enforcement of the infractions.

4. Monitor treatments or conduct Section 106 compliance for treatments prescribed for other 

resources or values at risk on BLM managed lands affected by the Carr Fire.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

This position fulfills the requirements for cultural resource compliance activities under the National Historic 

Preservation Act as codified in 36CFR800. 

118
Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Agency archaeological staff do not have the capacity to undertake all necessary National Historic 

Preservation Act compliance activities for cultural resources impacted by the Carr Fire. A one year GS-7 

archaeological position will insure that compliance activities are completed in a timely manner and are 

fully documented.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County, California. Decision Record and Finding of No 

Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, CA-360-EA-2004-23

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

Achieve compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act for activities associated with the

protection, stabilization, and avoidance of cultural resources as defined under the Act.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

Tasks listed in the design section above will be tracked with site assessment forms, patrol logs,

documentation of stabilization treatments which will include photo documentation, field notes, and a

report that will be prepared following the completion of stabilization efforts, and file maintenance pertinent

to these objectives. Section 106 compliance activities will use standardized procedures already in place

at the agency.

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

A BLM GS-11 archaeologist will provide oversight and supervision for this position. They will assure that

documentation, as specified above, has been completed at regular intervals, that site records have been

updated and that GIS data has been updated as necessary.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

119
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Abandoned Mine Mitigation for 

BLM

Spec-#

BLM-7-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection and Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protective Barriers/Fences

WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

This treatment provides for permanent mitigation for hazardous mine features that were discovered or made 

more visible by the Carr Fire. These mine openings pose significant safety threats to BLM visitors and agency 

staff. Section 106 compliance for the closures will be completed during the temporary fencing phase of this 

project.

TREATMENT 

General Description: A two person crew will visit the hazardous mine features identified in the BAER 

report to remove the temporary t-post fences and replace them with permanent closures. In most cases 

planning, construction, and installation will require multiple site visits. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: There are 15 hazardous mine openings located at the following sites: French 

Gulch Road (2), Kline Gulch (3), Clear Creek Road (2), Boswell Mine (1), West Side Trails (1), Keswick --

South of Keswick Dam (2), Chappy Shasta OHV Trail (1), Middle Creek Trail (1), Mad Ox Mine (1), and 

Gic Gulch (1). Specific locations have been given to BLM staff.

Design/Construction Specifications: Bat gates and culvert gates will be built to size for each mine 

opening. Closures should be designed to blend in and be as visually unobtrusive as possible.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): These mine 

features were previously unknown or largely obscured by vegetation prior to the Carr fire. Their increased 

visibility poses a significant safety issue for the visiting public.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: When designed and installed correctly, bat gates 

culvert gates, puf closures, and backfills are very effective at keeping people out of mines. Bat and 

culvert gates have the additional benefit of keeping the underground habitat available for wildlife. These 

styles of closures are difficult to compromise and typically require little or no maintenance.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): These mitigation 

treatments are consistent with the following BLM documents:

• Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, 

Redding Resource Area, California. 1993

• Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County, California. Decision Record and Finding 

of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, CA-360-EA-2004-23

121
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Tree Hazard Mitigation, RoadsBLM

Spec-#

BLM-8-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Roads FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Redding IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety

The Carr fire has created numerous hazard trees along BLM maintained roads. These hazard trees pose a 

threat to human life and safety due to the fact that they can unpredictably fall onto the roadway and will create 

an increase in subsequent maintenance. 

TREATMENT 

S10- Tree Hazard Removal 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

The BLM Redding Field Office maintains approximately 48 miles of road that was impacted by the Carr 

fire. Fire weakened trees can unpredictably fail and fall on the roadway, threatening human life and 

safety. It is essential to mitigate the hazard trees along roadsides to ensure safety and decrease road 

maintenance. Hazard trees within 1 tree length from the edge of the road will be felled. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

48 miles of roads across the Redding field office within the Carr fire footprint, refer to Damaged 

Recreational Infrastructure in appendices 4. 

Design/Construction Specifications:

Hazard trees will be directionally felled with agency saw crews away from the roadway. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

This treatment will address fire-created hazard trees from the Carr fire, ensuring public safety and 

reducing maintenance costs and fuel loading.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

This treatment is addressing newly created hazard trees within travel corridors that the BLM is 

responsible to maintain. Mitigating the hazard trees in a timely manner will help alleviate the continual 

issue with the hazard trees as they begin to decay and fall down sporadically and will greatly reduce the 

risk of hazard trees threatening human life and property. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

June 1993, Redding Resource Management Plan, as amended. 

124
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Replace Burned Trail Infrastructure

and Tread - BLM

Spec-#

BLM-9-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

The fire has completely burned critical trail infrastructure (plastic culverts, bridges) that are essential to safe 

visitor passage during spring flows over numerous water courses, and has caused tread collapse in some 

areas that are hazards to the variety of trail users in the park. Completing this treatment directly mitigates all of 

these hazards.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description: S11 Facilities

General Description: Replace all burned trail infrastructure directly related to protecting human safety on 

the BLM trails, with a primary focus on replacing burned culverts, bridges and restoring collapsed tread 

sections. BLM staff will complete all work. The number and location of burned culverts and bridges is

complete; based on the number of sections of collapsed trail tread assessed it is estimated there is one 

section of collapsed trail tread per 2 miles of trail, or 300 locations. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Burned infrastructure that needs replacement/repair to protect public safety is 

found throughout the fire affected lands administered by the BLM Redding Field Office. Collapsed trail 

tread is scattered over the 150 miles of BLM administered trails. Project locations include the following 

trails: Sacramento River Rail Trail, FB Trail, Middle Creek Trail, 58 Trail, Salt Creek Trail, Westside Trail, 

Swasey Recreation Area, Mule Ridge Trails, French Fry, and the OHV trails in the interlaces Special 

Recreation Management Area.

Design/Construction Specifications: All culverts and bridges will be replaced per current BLM

standards, using the skilled BLM workforce. Culvert and bridge replacement costs were provided by the 

Redding Field Office. The sections of collapsed tread will be filled in with on-site material.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

address all the lost trail infrastructure that directly affects visitor safety on the trails by replacing the 

culverts/bridges and repair the collapsed tread sections. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment is only addressing the critical 

human safety-related elements of the burned trail infrastructure, and uses the local BLM staff who are 

familiar with BLM standards for trail maintenance. BLM staff have installed culverts and built several trail 

bridges in the past few years and thus are skilled and efficient in such construction.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Redding Resource 

Management Plan 1993, as amended, Interlakes Special Recreation Management Area 1997, Swasey 

Drive Implementation Plan 2004. 

127
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Tree Hazard Mitigation Trails -

BLM

Spec-#

BLM-10-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

Tree hazard mitigation will reduce the threat to human life along heavily used recreation trails. Tree mortality 

averages 70% throughout the fire. Completing this treatment directly mitigates these hazards.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:S10 – Tree Hazard Removal

General Description: Hand fall all tree hazards along developed trail systems.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Tree hazards exist along all stretches of the developed trail system 

administered by the BLM Redding Field Office. There are approximately 150 miles of developed trails 

within the fire perimeter. Project locations include the following trails: Sacramento River Rail Trail, FB 

Trail, Middle Creek Trail, 58 Trail, Salt Creek Trail, Westside Trail, Swasey Recreation Area, Mule Ridge 

Trails, and the OHV trails in the interlakes Special Recreation Management Area.

Design/Construction Specifications: Tree hazards along the developed trail system will be mitigated 

using skilled BLM tree fallers. Tree hazards will be identified as: any tree killed outright by the fire, trees 

with significant crown or bowl scorch, trees where fire has compromised cracks, cat faces, and broken 

limbs, or which has a severe lean towards the trail.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

address the tree hazards caused by fire damaged or fire killed trees adjacent to trails.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment is only addressing the critical 

human safety-related elements of the tree hazards along the heavily used developed trails.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Redding Resource 

Management Plan 1993 as amended, Interlakes Special Recreation Management Area 1997, Swasey 

Drive Implementation Plan 2004. 

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: This treatment is designed to eliminate the safety concerns of dead and 

damaged trees along the developed trails system administered by the Redding Field Office in the first 

year. 

131
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Increased trail maintenance 

requirements in subsequent years

- BLM

Spec-#

BLM – 11 - BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY 20, 21, 22

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES none

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

BAR Issue 4 – Repair/Replace Fire Damage to Minor Facilities

The Carr fire burned over roughly 75 miles of non-motorized and 75 miles of OHV trails within the Redding 

Field Office. This treatment addresses the increased trail maintenance needs that will arise annually for the 

following three years, such as removal of increased numbers of windfall, increased landslide/debris/rockfall 

removal following rain, and likely increased brush/vegetative growth that will require additional trail brushing.

TREATMENT 

R11 – Facilities

General Description: Respond to increased trail maintenance needs that will arise in subsequent years 

following the fire. Expected increased needs include an elevated number of trees/logs across the trail, 

increased landslide/rockfall debris across the trail, and increased vegetative growth that will require 

increased trail brushing. Some trail tread issues will likely arise as evidence of burned out roots and logs 

also appear.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Several locations for the non-motorized trails, including the Sacramento River 

Rail Trail area, FB trail, Middle Creek trail, 58 Trail, Salt Creek Trail, Westside Trails, Swasey Recreation 

Area trails, Mule Ridge trails, and the OHV trails in the Interlakes Special Recreation Management Area 

vicinity.

Design/Construction Specifications: Trail reopening and clearing will occur each spring and after 

particular storm events or particular issues (such as log or debris fall across trails). Response to 

individual storm events will likely also be required.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The treatment will 

directly enable the BLM to respond to the inevitable increased trail maintenance needs and trail safety 

issues that will persist for several years following the fire by providing enough staff time to respond to 

these increased needs.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: The treatment provides support to address the 

inevitable increased trail maintenance needs in subsequent years. Adding staff to the existing small Fuels

mangement program, with this staff overseen by the existing leadership, will provide the necessary labor 

support to address the issue. Using seasonal employees is very cost effective.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Interlakes Special 

Recreation Management Area, Final Plan/EIS, 1997.

MONITORING PLAN

134
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Minor Facilities Repair- shooting 

range- BLM

Spec-#

BLM-12-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Facilities FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Redding IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety

The Carr fire burned minor facilities on BLM lands including the Iron Mountain shooting range. The area is a 

popular recreation facility for the surrounding urban area. 

TREATMENT 

S8 Road/Trail Water Diversion

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

The Iron Mountain shooting range will need to have approximately 200 feet of straw wattles replaced 

before fall rains to help contain lead contamination. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Iron Mountain shooting range is located approximately 5 miles north of Redding and 1⁄2 miles west of the 

Sacramento River/Keswick reservoir. Approximately 200 feet of straw wattles need to be purchased and 

installed.

 

Design/Construction Specifications:

Wattles will be installed to BLM standards and approved by a BLM personnel. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

This treatment will only address lost infrastructure due to the Carr fire, ensuring public safety and water 

quality protection. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

This treatment is only addressing infrastructure that was lost due to the Carr fire. BLM staff is familiar with 

agency specs. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

June 1993, Redding Resource Management Plan, as amended. 

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

This treatment is designed to capture overland runoff from the shooting range by reconstructing the water 

capture system on site in order to protect the water quality in Keswick reservoir.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

The installation of the wattles will be overseen by Redding field office personnel to ensure proper placement. 

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time 

period.

The site will be monitored by BLM personnel directly following storm events for the first year.

137
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Minor Facilities Repairamphitheater- BLM

Spec-#

BLM-13-BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Facilities FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Redding IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

BAR Issue 4- Repair/Replace Fire Damage to Minor Facilities

The Carr fire burned minor facilities on BLM lands including the Shasta Guild amphitheater. The area is a 

popular recreation facility for the surrounding urban area. 

TREATMENT 

S11-Facilities

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

The Shasta Guild amphitheater will need to be reconstructed, the seating replaced, and the 50’ log barrier 

in front of the stage will need to be replaced. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Shasta Guild amphitheater is located near the Shasta Historical Park off of hwy 299. The amphitheater

stage needs to be reconstructed, seating needs to be purchased and installed, and the small bridge 

needs to be constructed and replaced. 

Design/Construction Specifications:

The bridge needs to be constructed to BLM standards with BLM trail workforce. The amphitheater should 

be reconstructed to the pre fire standards, BLM staff or non profit group volunteers will help reconstruct 

the amphitheater. Straw bales for seating should be certified weed free. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

This treatment will only address lost infrastructure due to the Carr fire, ensuring public safety and 

restoring recreation opportunities.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

This treatment is only addressing infrastructure that was lost due to the Carr fire. BLM staff is familiar with 

agency specs, having recently built trail bridges thus completing the reconstruction in a timely manner and 

meeting BLM specifications. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

June 1993, Redding Resource Management Plan, as amended. 

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

This treatment is designed to eliminate the safety concern of crossing the stream during spring flows, and 

reconstruct the amphitheater and seating area for the enjoyment of the public. 

139
PART E - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Invasive Species – Early Detection 

Rapid Response

PART E 

Spec-# BLM-14-ES 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Invasive species FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Chemical Treatment, Terrestrial 

Habitat Improvement

WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK French Gulch, Shasta IMPACTED T&E SPECIES Spotted owl habitat

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

BLM ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How this treatment affects issue ES5 – Invasive Plants and Weeds: On Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

lands invasive and noxious weeds were present in scattered locations in low densities throughout the Carr 

Fire area. The known invasive species are located along roads, open disturbed areas and other sites. Fire 

suppression vehicles and equipment traveled through known populations of invasive plant species. 

Suppression activities resulted in 15 miles of dozerlines and 12 miles of hand lines being constructed, 60 

miles of roads being bulldozed and 18 acres of staging areas, drop points and safety zones constructed. It 

was observed by the BAER Assessment team that suppression vehicles and equipment has driven through 

existing populations of invasive species. In addition, utility companies have constructed 25 miles of dozerlines 

to install burned and damaged infrastructure. Total acreage of suppression related disturbances, including 

control lines and roads is 8,598 ac. Current NEPA guidance limits treatment to 600 acres per year. There was 

no weed wash station for about 26 days from the start of the fire. Without this treatment (chemical and manual 

removal) there is a high probability (over 90%) that invasive species will spread and infest much of the fire 

area.

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE:

General Description: 

On BLM lands EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) treatments of invasive species in native 

vegetation communities are proposed to mitigate the threat to native vegetation recovery. The 

establishment of a weed washing station was not implemented until late in the incident, and is expected 

to increase the threat of the introduction and/or spread of invasive weed species that exist within and 

adjacent to the Carr Fire. This specification outlines the application of manual and chemical treatments 

to reduce the competitive pressure of invasive weeds, including yellow starthistle, diffuse knapweed, St. 

Johnswort, tree of heaven, and brooms (French, Spanish and Scotch) on the establishment of native 

plant communities within the Carr Fire. Other invasive species that are less common will also be 

included in the EDDR. Application of manual and chemical treatments will greatly improve new 

recruitment of native species from surrounding unburned vegetation and seed germination from 

existing seeds stored within the seed bank. A high probability for the introduction and spread of 

invasive weeds exists in priority treatment areas where soil disturbance occurred from suppressionrelated activities including dozerlines, handlines, staging areas and safety zones. Roads and riparian 

areas also serve as corridors for transporting invasive weeds to recently burned areas. These areas 

are necessary for inventory and treatment to allow the re-establishment of vegetation, which is unlikely 

to recover post-fire without intervention due to competition from invasive weed species. Inventory will 

occur in areas having high vegetation mortality as these areas have a high probability (>90%) for 

invasive weed invasion. Some areas are excluded from treatment due to the native vegetation 

community’s ability to recover post-fire (areas of unburned to low vegetation mortality since these are 

expected to resprout and regenerate from seed). Various treatment methods will be utilized including 

hand pulling, backpack sprayers and/or truck/UTV boom mounted spray units. There is support for an 

Interagency Weed Control Crew utilizing both the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Redding 

Bureau of Land Management. See Appendix for itemized cost sheet for BLM

142
Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for treatment are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, staging 

areas, drop points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, staging areas utilized by timber 

operations conducted during and immediately post fire, and riparian areas that experienced moderate 

to high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity. There are a total of 18 acres of drop points and safety 

zones, 15 acres and 15 miles of dozerlines, 14 acres and 12 miles of hand lines, and 5,737 acres and 

85 miles of roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads that were 

bulldozed. There are 88 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that will be 

inventoried. In addition, 2,726 acres of high vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the fire on 

BLM administered lands 8,598 acres and 112 miles have been identified as appropriate for invasive 

species inventory and treatment. Current NEPA guidance limits treatment to 600 acres per year. 

Emphasis will be within and adjacent to invasive weed locations. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

● Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive 

species/noxious weeds.

● Apply herbicides at the recommended rate listed in the label for the targeted species with a non-ionic 

surfactant and a blue dye. 

● Treatment will be timed to apply herbicide to actively growing invasive species in fall of 2018 (FY2019) 

after the first rains (so that herbicide does not bind to ash), but prior to green-up to maximize efficacy. 

● Applications will be made by truck/UTV boom sprayers or backpack sprayers as specified by the 

herbicide label.

● Hand pulling will be conducted on small invasive species populations located during inventory. If plant 

is in fruit or seed these will be bagged and disposed of accordingly.

● If follow-up applications are needed as determined through monitoring, herbicide applications should 

occur during the appropriate phenology as determined by the herbicide label or local knowledge.

● Herbicide applications will only be made by qualified applicators according to the label and following 

state and federal regulations. All applications must be documented and reported according to state and 

federal guidelines.

● Monitor treatment efficacy (see Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring 

designs).

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, noxious species can outcompete existing vegetation and lead to an 

altered plant community that serves less ecological function and has less resiliency than its pre-wildfire 

condition. Native vegetation recovery is likely to be impacted by off-road and off-trail travel and invasive 

species introduction and establishment. Initial concerns include maintaining the ecological health and 

integrity of watersheds within the fire perimeter. Sensitive plant species populations, unique plant 

communities, native plant communities, native seed banks, and soil productivity have been impacted in 

moderate to high Soil Burn Severity (SBS) areas of the fire. The burned area, now lacking desired 

vegetation that can normally outcompete invasive species, is vulnerable to the establishment and 

expansion of invasive seed sources outside and adjacent to burned areas especially where native seed 

banks and soil productivity are compromised (see Carr Fire Vegetation Assessment 2018). In the low 

SBS areas, it will take at least one growing season--summer 2019--until native vegetation can 

reestablish and compete with invasive species. In moderate to high SBS areas, vegetation recovery is 

expected to take longer and will vary based on pre-fire vegetation community and location within the 

fire perimeter. Invasive species are likely to establish at a much faster rate in certain areas, further 

impacting Special Status Species plants and their associated habitat. The presence of invasive 

species may prevent establishment of desirable perennial grasses, shrubs, and tree seedlings and can 

increase future fire hazards with the establishment of flashy non-native annual species that often 

become established post-fire. 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Hand treatments (pulling, digging, etc.) can be used on small infestations, on sites where herbicides are 

143
prohibited according to local restrictions, or local agency policy. Herbicides will not be used in Trinity 

County. Truck or UTV boom mounted spraying is feasible on relatively flat, even terrain and where the 

hose can reach infestations. Backpack sprayers will be used where UTV’s or trucks cannot be used. 

Herbicide treatment increases the probability of success for native species regeneration. Prompt 

application of this treatment is the most cost-effective response to the risk of further infestation by 

invasive plant species. Lack of treatment would put these areas at risk for dominance by invasive 

species with potential spread into adjacent plant communities and habitats with intact native perennial 

vegetation. Providing an EDRR program to minimize infestations on this fire will protect and maintain 

general wildlife habitat, designated black tailed deer winter range and northern spotted owl critical 

habitat, help stabilize soils and hydrology by allowing for natural regeneration, and provide reliable 

quality forage for wildlife on an annual basis. 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): In order to insure 

watershed health, control or eradication of noxious weeds on both upland and riparian areas will be in 

cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies, as well as private groups or other interested 

parties. Executive Order 13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive Species established the format to federal 

agencies to develop programs dealing with invasive species. BLM: This treatment is consistent with the 

USDI Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office Environmental Assessment, Integrated 

Vegetation Management (2016), Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision (1993), 

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on 

Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States (2007), Vegetation Treatments on BLM 

Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Report (2007), Vegetation Treatments Using 

Aminopyralid, Flourozypyr, and Rimsulfuron on Bureau of Land Management Lands in the 17 Western 

States Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (2016). 

 

Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Proposed

1) Treatment Objectives: Ensure watershed health by control or eradication of invasive weeds on both 

upland and riparian areas and reduce competition of invasive and promote the establishment of native 

species. Control invasive plant species on areas used or disturbed by fire suppression and utility 

company activities.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored. BLM reporting: Noxious weed inventory and control 

will be reported under the current standards using Pesticide Use Reports and documentation in the 

National Invasive Species Information System (NISIMS).

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time 

period. The monitoring protocol will be at the discretion of the BLM Redding Field Office. Monitoring 

methods could involve repeated visits to infestation sites to give ocular estimates of the infestation. 

Photo-points during flowering periods can also be utilized. Long term monitoring of the area using 

methods such as line point intercept will also add more quantitative data for analysis to post-fire 

rehabilitation (see Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring designs). 

Monitoring will occur in years 1 through 3.

144
PART E - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Invasive Species – Early Detection 

Rapid Response

PART E 

Spec-# BLM-15-BAR 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Invasive species FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Chemical Treatment, Terrestrial 

Habitat Improvement

WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK French Gulch, Shasta IMPACTED T&E SPECIES Northern Spotted Owl

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

BLM ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How this treatment affects R5 issue 2 – Invasive Plants and Weeds: On Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

lands invasive and noxious weeds were present in scattered locations in low densities throughout the Carr 

Fire area (see ES issue 5). The known invasive species are located along roads, open disturbed areas and 

other sites. Fire suppression vehicles and equipment traveled through known populations of invasive plant 

species. Suppression activities resulted in 15 miles of dozerlines and 12 miles of hand lines being 

constructed, 85 miles of roads being bulldozed or re-opened and 47 acres of staging areas, drop points and 

safety zones constructed. Total acreage of suppression related disturbances, including control lines and roads 

is 8,598 ac; current NEPA guidance limits treatment to 600 acres per year. This specification proposes followup inventory and treatments in fiscal years 2020-2024.

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE:

Treatment Activity Description

General Description: 

Continue EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) and conduct follow-up inventory and treatments of 

invasive species in priority areas described in Weed Treatment E5S. This specification outlines the 

application of manual and chemical treatments to reduce the competitive pressure of invasive weeds. 

Inventory will also continue in areas having high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity as these areas 

have a high probability (>90%) for invasive weed invasion. Various treatment methods will be utilized 

including hand pulling, backpack sprayers and/or truck/UTV boom mounted spray units. Approved BLM 

herbicides will be used. Work will be conducted by BLM crews, possibly crews from the Western 

Shasta Resource Conservation District, and there is support for a joint Shasta-Trinity National ForestBLM Redding Field Office Interagency crew. See Appendix for itemized cost sheet for BLM.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for treatment are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, staging 

areas, drop points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, staging areas utilized by timber 

operations conducted during and immediately post fire, and riparian areas that experienced moderate 

to high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity. There are a total of 18 acres of drop points and safety 

zones, 15 acres and 15 miles of dozerlines, 14 acres and 12 miles of hand lines, and 5,737 acres and 

85 miles of roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads that were 

bulldozed. There are 88 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that will be 

inventoried. In addition, 2,726 acres of high vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the fire on 

BLM administered lands 8,598 acres and 112 miles have been identified as appropriate for invasive 

species inventory and treatment. Emphasis will be within and adjacent to invasive weed locations. 

Current NEPA guidance limits treatment to 600 acres per year

Design/Construction Specifications: 

● Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive 

species/noxious weeds. Inventory sites treated in FY19.

● Apply herbicides at the recommended rate listed in the label for the targeted species with a non-ionic

surfactant and a blue dye. 

● Applications will be made by truck/UTV boom sprayers or backpack sprayers as specified by the 

herbicide label and as required by BLM.

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● Hand pulling will be conducted on small invasive species populations and where herbicide spraying is 

not appropriate or allowed. If plant is in fruit or seed these will be bagged and disposed of accordingly.

● Herbicide applications will only be made by qualified applicators according to the label and following 

state and federal regulations. All applications must be documented and reported according to state and 

federal guidelines.

w does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, noxious species can outcompete existing vegetation and lead to an 

altered plant community that serves less ecological function and has less resiliency than its pre-wildfire 

condition. Sensitive plant species populations, unique plant communities, native plant communities, 

native seed banks, and soil productivity have been impacted in moderate to high Soil Burn Severity 

(SBS) areas of the fire. The burned area, now lacking desired vegetation that can normally outcompete 

invasive species, is vulnerable to the establishment and expansion of invasive seed sources outside 

and adjacent to burned areas especially where native seed banks and soil productivity are 

compromised (see Carr Fire Vegetation Assessment 2018). In moderate to high SBS areas, vegetation 

recovery is expected to take longer and will vary based on pre-fire vegetation community and location 

within the fire perimeter. Invasive species are likely to establish at a much faster rate in certain areas, 

further impacting Special Status Species plants and their associated habitat. The presence of invasive 

species may prevent establishment of desirable perennial grasses, shrubs, and tree seedlings and can 

increase future fire hazards with the establishment of flashy non-native annual species that often 

become established post-fire. 

hy is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Follow-up treatments will ensure treatments conducted in FY19 (ES5) were successful and to determine the 

efficacy of herbicide applications. Size and abundance of noxious weed infestations would be 

compared between years one through five. Inventory and EDRR increases the probability of success 

for native species regeneration. Prompt application of this treatment is the most cost-effective 

response to the risk of further infestation by invasive plant species. Lack of treatment would put these 

areas at risk for dominance by invasive species with potential spread into adjacent plant communities 

and habitats with intact native perennial vegetation. The BLM Redding Field Office Integrated 

Vegetation Management program outlines strategies for the inventory and treatment of invasive 

species and noxious weeds.

nd Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): In order to insure 

watershed health, control or eradication of noxious weeds on both upland and riparian areas will be in 

cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies, as well as private groups or other interested 

parties. Executive Order 13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive Species established the format to federal 

agencies to develop programs dealing with invasive species. BLM: This treatment is consistent with the 

USDI Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office Environmental Assessment, Integrated 

Vegetation Management (2016), Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision (1993), 

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides on 

Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States (2007), Vegetation Treatments on BLM 

Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Report (2007), Vegetation Treatments Using 

Aminopyralid, Flourozypyr, and Rimsulfuron on Bureau of Land Management Lands in the 17 Western 

States Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (2016). 

 

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ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Storm Patrol & Cleaning - BLM Spec-# BLM-16-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Roads FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019, 2020, 2021

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES Southern Oregon/Northern 

California Coast Coho salmon, 

Central Valley Chinook salmon, 

Sacramento Winter Run Chinook 

salmon, Central Valley steelhead

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Storm patrol and cleaning will address the following issues:

• ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety. BLM-maintained roads within the fire perimeter receive yearround public use. Culvert washouts, debris accumulations and instances of adverse surface erosion 

threaten to strand motorists in relatively remote locations.

• ES Issue 2: Soil/Water Stabilization. Numerous areas within the fire perimeter will experience 

elevated rates of erosion. Where roads and culverts fail or surface erosion is concentrated, increased 

loss of soil and impacts to downstream watercourses is expected.

• ES Issue 3: Habitat for Federal/State Listed, Proposed, or Candidate Species. Several species of 

federally listed salmon and steelhead occupy drainages within the fire perimeter. Specific watersheds 

include lower Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam and smaller drainages in the west Redding area 

draining to the Sacramento River below Keswick. In the Trinity River, watersheds include Grass 

Valley Creek and Deadwood Creek.

TREATMENT 

S14 – Other Treatments

Treatment/Activity Description:

• General Description: 

After each storm event, storm patrol teams will clean roadside ditches, clear the road surface and 

ensure functional culverts. Heavy equipment may be needed to accomplish the clean-outs where 

excessive debris accumulates. 

There are many BLM-maintained roads and road-stream crossings within the fire perimeter at risk of 

inundation, debris deposition, culvert plugging, flood damage and other post-fire related impacts from 

elevated flows carrying sediment and debris. After rainfall events these areas will be assessed for any 

potential damage to the roads and infrastructure such as culvert plugging and stream diversions onto 

the road surface. If the culverts are plugged or damaged then the areas could be cleaned out 

immediately to avoid further damage during the next rainfall event. Additionally, other values at risk 

(buildings, water supply facilities, diversion structures, etc.) adjacent to channels will be assessed 

during storm patrol.

 

The patrols are used to identify those road problems such as plugged culverts and washed out roads 

and to clear, clean, and/or block those roads that are or have received damage. The storm patrollers 

shall have access to equipment that can be used when a drainage culvert is plugged or soon to be 

plugged and to repair any road receiving severe surface erosion.

Storm patrol work is expected to occur for eight storms during the first winter (2019/2020), four storms 

during the second winter (2020/2021), and two storm patrols during the third winter season 

(2021/2022).

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Work should be performed in the morning and early afternoon. Personnel should leave drainages when 

chance of rain is moderate or higher. Store equipment and materials outside of flood-prone areas and 

debris hazards.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: BLM-maintained roads within the fire perimeter with an emphasis on roads 

within the Clear Creek, Deadwood Creek an Grass Valley Creek watersheds.

• Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Immediately after receiving wetting rain the BLM will send out patrols to the roads and facilities of 

high importance on BLM lands to identify road and other hazard conditions – obstructions such as 

rocks, sediment, washouts and plugged culverts so the problems can be corrected before they 

worsen or jeopardize motor vehicle users. 

2. The road patrols shall bring in heavy equipment necessary to mechanically remove any 

obstructions from the roads and culvert inlets and catch basins where necessary.

3. All excess material and debris removed from the drainage system shall be placed outside of the 

bank-full channel and floodplain where it cannot re-enter stream channels. Preferably the material 

will be moved off-site.

4. After each storm event, BLM staff will identify the location(s) along roads where debris material is 

located and what debris material has been removed.

5. Storm patrol and clearing will occur up to 8 times the first winter, 4 times during the second winter 

and 2 times during the third winter.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): There is an 

immediate and future threat to travelers along these roads and increased sedimentation to fish-bearing 

streams within the burned area due to the increased potential for rolling and falling rock from burned 

slopes and increased potential for flash floods and debris flows. With the loss of vegetation, normal 

storm frequencies and magnitudes can more easily initiate rill and gully erosion on the slopes and it is 

likely that this runoff will cover the roads or cause washouts. These events make for hazardous access 

along steep slopes and put the safety of users at risk.

The storm patrol is intended to identify and mitigate issues immediately after a rainfall event to avoid 

further damage during subsequent events. The purpose of the monitoring is to evaluate the condition 

of roads for motorized access and to identify and implement additional work needed to maintain and/or 

repair damage to road surfaces and flow conveyance structures across roads in order to provide safe 

access across BLM lands. BLM engineering personnel will survey the roads within the fire perimeter 

after high-intensity storms. Survey will inspect road surface condition, ditch erosion, and culverts/inlet 

basins for capacity to accommodate runoff flows.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

• Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Treatment is reflective of the number of storm 

events typical for the region and reflects gradual alleviation of issues as recovery occurs within the 

burned area. Post event cleaning of infrastructure prevents further degradation and or failure of road 

systems with future storm events. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

1993 Redding Resource Management Plan, as amended.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: 

• Inspect BLM maintained road networks for instances of road blockages, culvert plugging, crossing 

washouts and adverse surface erosion on the road tread.

• Treat road issues through excavating buried inlets, grading to remove debris, and treatments to 

improve surface drainage.

155
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Culvert Cleaning Spec-# BLM – 17 - ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Culverts Intersecting Road Prism FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2018, 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Culverts: Removal of Debris 

Hazards

WUI? Y / N

Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Redding Field Office IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

• Human Life and Safety. BLM maintained roads within the fire perimeter receive year-round public 

use. Culvert failure, debris accumulations and instances of adverse surface erosion threaten to strand 

motorists in relatively remote locations.

• Soil/Water Stabilization. Numerous areas within the fire perimeter are will experience elevated rates 

of erosion. Where roads and culverts fail or surface erosion is concentrated, increased loss of soil and 

impacts to downstream watercourses would be anticipated.

• Habitat for Federal/State Listed, Proposed, or Candidate Species. Several species of federally 

listed salmon and steelhead occupy drainages within the fire perimeter. Specific watersheds include 

lower Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam and smaller drainages drain to the Sacramento River 

below Keswick. In the Trinity River, watersheds include Grass Valley Creek and Deadwood Creek.

Upkeep and maintenance of culverts would greatly reduce the potential of sedimentation reaching 

receiving waters.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

• General Description: There are 48 miles of transportation network and associated culverts on BLM at 

risk of inundation, debris deposition, flood damage and other post-fire related impacts from elevated 

flows carrying sediment and debris. There is the increased potential of culverts clogging with sediment 

and debris from burned and damaged woody debris. Established rainfall thresholds will require the 

need to assess the potential damage to the roads and culvert infrastructure. Due to the fires removal of 

ground cover there is a higher failure risk of culvert clogging/damage during higher rainfall events. 

Storm patrols are designed to identify clogged culverts and road prism damages and to take measure 

of removing clogged debris. 

 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Forty eight miles of roads were identified has having the potential for culvert 

clogging based on a gis data search as well as the transportation network is fragmented with multiple 

ownerships. The BAER team utilized the debris flow map developed by the USGS to aid in identifying

culverts locations as well as culvert/roads inventory map (see watershed response and culverts maps, 

see appendix, 4).

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Culverts will need to have excess sediment material and debris removed from the culverts inlet 

drainage system as well as this material needs to be placed outside of the bank-full channel and 

floodplain where it cannot re-enter stream channels. Preferably the material will be moved to an off-site

debris staging site.

2. The culvert cleaning before the first rain events will require that all accumulated soils, gravels, rocks 

and debris be removed before the October seasonal rains begin. A culverts inspections and 

cleaning needs to take place before storm patrol team begin their rainfall culverts inspections.

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3. Utilization of both the USGS debris flow map illustrating the culvert points and the watershed

response map illustrating the locations of known culverts show be used as an inspection guideline.

4. Culverts will need to have excess sediment material and debris removed from the outlet if at all

possible. There are many culverts identified in the Carr Fire field investigations where this may not

be possible due to depth of culvert and length down slope.

5. The utilization of either a backhoe or excavator will be required to excavate the buildup of sediment,

gravel and rocks. Due to the Carr Fire and past fires there is also the buildup of woody debris that

will need to be removed.

6. During the culvert cleaning every effort should be made to NOT damage the inlet of the culvert pipe.

Restriction of the culvert inlet will greatly reduce the volume of water designed to pass through the

culvert pipe.

7. In some cases the retrofitting of the inlet with a debris stand pipe may be necessary to prevent

repeated debris acumination’s and debris woody debris clogging culvert pipe (see diagram, see

appendix, 4).

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): There is the

immediate and future threat to the public along roads and their culvert conveyance infrastructure. 

Within the burned area due to the increased potential from excessive rainfall onto exposed soils there 

is the higher possibility that saturated soils could move down slope at accelerated speeds. This 

increase of saturated soils on bare soils increases the potential for debris flows, debris torrents and 

mass movement of rocks and trees. Due to the loss of vegetation normal storm frequencies and 

magnitudes can more easily initiate a debris event from riling and gully erosion from steep slopes. The 

potential of runoff to clogged culverts and spill onto the road prism is increased and could cause road 

prism damage from overwhelmed culverts. These events make for hazardous access along steep 

slopes and put the safety of the public and storm patrols at risk.

The storm patrol is intended to identify and mitigate issues immediately after an established rainfall 

threshold is exceeded to aid in preventing culvert damage during subsequent rainfall events. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

• Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Treatments for culvert cleaning are based on

the number of rainfall threshold exceedances each year. Post culvert cleaning of infrastructure prevents

further degradation to downstream confluences as well as reducing the potential of failures to road

systems.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

MONITORING PLAN

• Treatment Objectives: To keep culverts passing established flows through entire length of culvert pipe

during storm events along the approximately 15 miles of road area on FS lands.

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ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Hazard Warning signs-roads/trails Spec-# BLM-18-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection & Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Warning Signs WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Redding IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety

The Carr fire burned road and trail signs on BLM lands. Trailhead signs need to be replaced and warning signs 

need to be installed to warn people that they are entering a burned area. Carsonite signs need to be replaced 

to ensure people stay on the trail infrastructure for safety. Brochures need to be made and distributed to the 

users highlighting the hazards. 

TREATMENT 

S11-Facilities

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

Purchase and install warning signs to inform visitors and employees about the risk from post-fire hazard 

trees, flash flood risk, blockage of trails by fallen trees, and washed out trails. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

All trailheads that are within the Carr fire burn area and BLM administered roads and trails that are within 

the Carr fire burn area. Signs will be placed at intersections from paved roads to BLM maintained roads 

and trailheads to ensure public is informed of burned environment and associated hazards.

Non-motorized trails and trail heads include:

Sacramento River trail, FB trail, Keswick Dam trail head, Keswick tail head, Middle creek trail, Westside

trail, Salt creek trail, Swasey, Meiners loop trail head, Wintu trail head, Mule Mt, Mule Ridge, Stoney, 

Gulch trail head, Oak Knoll trail head. Shasta Dam Trailhead, Rock Creek Trailhead, Keswick Boat 

Launch, Oak Bottom Campground.

Motorized trails and trail heads include:

#1 trail, #2 trail, #3 trail, #4 trail, #27 trail, Chappie-Shasta Staging Area, Shasta campground, Matheson 

Parking, Copley Mountain Staging Area, Bohemotash Camp. 

Roads:

Trinity mountain road, Cline gulch road, East fork road, Iron mountain road, Shasta dam, 151 road.

Design/Construction Specifications:

Trail Construction and Maintenance Handbook. Signs should be attached to existing posts when 

possible. Avoid mounting signs to historic or rustic trail signs. Avoid archaeological sites for sign 

placement. Consult with cultural resource staff prior to sign placement.

BLM will design and print brochures to be distributed to public.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Warning danger to visitors and employees of burned bridges and hazard trees and the potential for flash 

floods. The signs are designed to reach all users on the roads and trail.

162
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Swasey Basin Cleanout Spec-# BLM-19-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Erosion/Sedimentation FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2018,2019,2020

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Catchment Basin Cleanout WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Swasey/Middle Creek

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES Central Valley Chinook salmon, 

Sacramento Winter Run Chinook 

salmon, Central Valley steelhead

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Removal of sediment from the Swasey sediment basin will address the following:

ES Issue-2: Soil/Water Stabilization. The Middle Creek watershed will experience elevated rates of erosion. 

Where surface erosion is concentrated, increased loss of soil and impacts to downstream watercourses is 

expected.

ES Issue 3-Habitat for Federal/State Listed, Proposed, or Candidate Species. Several species of federally 

listed salmon and steelhead occupy drainages within and downstream of the fire perimeter. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description: S14-Other Treatments

General Description: 

Remove sediment and debris from the Swasey Sediment Basin on Middle Creek prior to fall rainfall 

events to maximize storage capacity. Following major storm events, remove debris and sediment fill to 

maintain storage capacity of the sediment basin. The work is expected to occur in fall of 2018 for initial 

clean out and for eight storms during the first winter (2019/2020), four storms during the second winter 

(2020/2021), and two storm patrols during the third winter season (2021/2022).

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Swasey sediment basin on Middle Creek. See Watershed Treatment Map Appendix IV, Watershed 

Treatment Table Appendix V.

Design/Construction Specifications: 

Use an excavator or backhoe along with a dump truck to remove sediment and debris. Sediment and 

debris should be loaded into dump truck and deposited outside the floodplain where it cannot re-enter 

stream channels or transport material to an approved disposal site.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

To maximize sediment basin capacity for subsequent high runoff events. One basin on Middle Creek 

near Swasey is relatively small and will require frequent cleaning. Units are in cubic yards. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Treatment is reflective of the number of storm events typical for the region and reflects gradual alleviation 

of issues as recovery occurs within the burned area. Post event cleaning of infrastructure prevents further 

degradation and or failure of road systems with future storm events. The treatment addresses impacts to 

critical habitat and critical downstream spawning habitat for federally listed chinook salmon species. Cost 

are based on the use of local BLM resources and local equipment rental companies.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

1993 Redding Resource Management Plan as amended.

165
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Post Condition Assessment Site 

Stabilizations

Spec-#

BLM-20-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue-4: Critical Heritage Resources 

Remove fire-killed hazard tree, stabilize erosion threats and replace burned fence within the perimeter and/or 

within the immediate vicinity of known, significant cultural features and archaeological sites, to mitigate the 

potential for adverse effects on cultural resources. Sites (61 sites) to be treated under this specification will 

have post-fire assessments completed (BLM-2-ES) before treatment prescriptions are undertaken.

 

TREATMENT 

S9 - Cultural Protection (Stabilization/Patrol)

General Description: Indirect impacts from the Carr Fire are, or have the potential to further degrade 

important attributes of cultural features or archaeological sites on lands managed by the BLM Redding 

Field Office that fall within the fire perimeter. This specification consists of three components: (1) Clear 

fire-killed trees and fallen trees from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire killed 

hazard trees to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; and (3) Repair existing 

exclusionary fencing surrounding sites to discourage access. The GS-7 Archaeologist (Specification 

BLM-6-ES) will coordinate with and monitor the work of the Fuels Crew at archaeological sites where 

these treatments are recommended. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Sites where post-fire condition assessments will be conducted by BLM archaeologists as part of the 

Archaeological Site Condition Assessment Specification (BLM-2-ES). Sixty-one sites have been identified 

for further assessments and based on findings from assessments conducted during BAER field visits all 

sites will require at a minimum hazard tree removal or other site stabilization treatments. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Removal of fire killed hazard trees identified as a threat to known archaeological sites or as a 

hazard to archaeology crew members conducting site assessments, and removal of trees that 

have fallen onto archaeological features within site boundaries. Tree and log removal, either 

through chipping, directional felling, or lop and scatter methods, will be completed by BLM fuels

crew personnel with on-site guidance from BLM archaeology personnel on hazard tree location 

and directional falling preference (if any). Chipping will be accomplished utilizing up to two

chippers that the BLM Redding Field Office currently own. All required training and certification 

for such work is to be completed prior to the initiation of fieldwork. 

2. Repair/reconstruction of existing exclusionary fence line surrounding previously identified sites.

The BLM Force Account will complete fence repair with on-site guidance from BLM archaeology 

personnel. The work is designed to exclude pedestrian traffic on-site and decrease looting 

potential. All work will be completed in FY19. 

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Hazard trees pose a continued threat to archaeological resources and the personnel responsible for 

managing those resources on-site until they are successfully felled and removed. Surface features such 

168
as dry stacked rock foundations can be toppled by falling trees, and subsurface features such as 

housepits can be disturbed by uprooted root balls. Chipping and/or lop and scatter methods will effectively 

disperse downed fuels while also helping to stabilize surface soils and make surface artifacts less visible 

and susceptible to looting. Directional falling perpendicular to site slopes can also reduce erosion potential 

where appropriate. 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness:

Proposed treatments will effectively protect some of the most significant archaeological resources within 

the fire perimeter on BLM Redding Field Office-managed lands. Should proposed treatments not take 

place, the cost of mitigation efforts after site damage and/or disturbance occurs will greatly exceed 

treatment costs. All work will be conducted in-house by BLM Redding Field Office permanent and 

seasonal staff, reducing costs, streamlining treatment timelines, and increasing overall efficiency by 

having personnel work together in the field at the same time to make determinations that most effectively 

protect archaeological resources. Work will predominately be accomplished utilizing equipment (chippers, 

vehicles, saws, trailers) already owned by the BLM as well as, eliminating the need for equipment rental 

and/or additional equipment purchases save for an additional GSA vehicle for an archaeological 

technician (GS-07). 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, Redding 

Resource Area, California. 1993

Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County, California. Decision Record and Finding of No 

Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, CA-360-EA-2004-23

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: Stabilization and protection of significant archaeological sites and/or features

directly affected by the Carr Fire through fire-killed hazard tree removal, exclusionary fence repair, and a

combination of chipping, lop and scatter, and directional falling to disperse downed trees, reduce erosion

potential, and obscure site surfaces to decrease the possibility of looting.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored: Work to stabilize identified sites, as well as those yet

to be identified through assessment that necessitate treatment, will be physically monitored by BLM

archaeology staff. On-site monitoring conducted during treatment will ensure that work is conducted to

the standards of BLM Redding Field Office archaeology staff. Monitoring efforts will additionally include

photo documentation, field notes, and a report that will be prepared following the completion of

stabilization efforts.

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period: BLM Redding Field Office archaeology staff will conduct periodic post-treatment monitoring of

sites identified for treatment at regular intervals. Interval schedule and overall duration will be determined

by archaeology staff, and will be site-specific.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

169
PART F - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION, BAR

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Monitor Invasive Weeds PART E Spec-# BLM-21-BAR 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Monitoring FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2020, 2021, 2022

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Treatment effectiveness monitoring WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK French Gulch, Shasta IMPACTED T&E SPECIES Northern Spotted Owl

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

BLM ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How this treatment, R13 affects issue BAR 2 – Monitoring Invasive Plants and Weeds: On Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) lands treatments of invasive species control will be monitored for treatment effectiveness. 

Monitoring allows managers to make adaptive management decisions to either conduct follow-up treatments, 

determine if invasive weed populations are increasing decreasing, or to request additional funding for invasive 

species control. Invasive weed locations will be documented using Arc Collector or other GPS technology and

herbicide use reported Pesticide Use reports (PURs). The treatment type, amount of herbicide used, efficacy 

of herbicides, presence or absence of invasives, and size of weed populations will be documented.

Treatments will be entered into the National Invasive Species Management System (NISMs) database. 

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE: 

Treatment Activity Description

General Description: 

On BLM lands Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) treatments of invasive species will be 

monitored to determine effectiveness of treatment type and recovery of natural vegetation. Treatment 

sites will be evaluated annually for three years to ensure that treatments are effective and to determine 

the need for follow-up control. Monitoring will help determine if invasive species are increasing or 

decreasing within the Carr Fire perimeter. This monitoring specification will aid in determining if ES-5 

and R-5 Specifications Invasive Species, EDRR are effective.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for monitoring are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, drop 

points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, and riparian and burned areas that 

experienced high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity There are a total of 18 acres of drop points and 

safety zones, 15 acres and 15 miles of dozerlines, 14 acres and 12 miles of hand lines, and 5,737 

acres and 85 miles of roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads 

that were bulldozed. There are 88 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that 

will be inventoried. In addition, 2,726 acres of high vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the 

fire on BLM administered lands 8,598 acres and 112 miles have been identified as appropriate for 

invasive species inventory and treatment. Priority areas will be known invasive plant species treatment 

locations followed by areas within and adjacent to invasive weed locations that were utilized by fire 

suppression forces. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive 

species/noxious weeds. 

• Monitor treated invasive plant locations (manual or chemically treated) to determine presence or 

absence of invasive plants and efficacy of chemical control. 

• Collect data with tablets utilizing Collector or GPS units that can be interfaced with Arc GIS.

• If follow-up applications are needed as determined through monitoring, herbicide applications should 

occur during the appropriate phenology as determined by the herbicide label or local knowledge.

• Monitor treatment efficacy (see Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring 

designs).

171
• Recommended minimum monitoring attributes could include the species composition, cover, density

and size of treated area.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, noxious species can outcompete existing vegetation and 

lead to an altered plant community with less ecological function and has less resiliency than its prewildfire condition. Dozerlines were constructed adjacent or through three rare plant populations, 

Mallory’s manzanita, sulphur creek brodiaea, and canyon creek stonecrop.

Purpose is to determine if invasive species treatments are preventing the increase of existing weed 

populations and to determine the level of needed treatments or it follow-up treatments are necessary. 

Monitoring will help determine whether vegetation treatments are necessary to meet management 

goals and objectives to maintain native plant community composition, structure and fire return intervals.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

This specification monitors the efficacy of the treatments—manual, and chemical. Prompt application of 

this treatment is the most cost-effective response to the risk of further infestation by invasive plant 

species. The monitoring data will allow managers to make adaptive management decisions and 

determine if more treatments are needed, if additional funding is required and if the treatment areas 

have changed. Lack of treatment would put these areas at risk for dominance by invasive species with 

potential spread into adjacent plant communities and habitats with intact native perennial vegetation. 

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): This treatment is 

consistent with the USDI Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office Environmental 

Assessment, Integrated Vegetation Management (2016), Redding Resource Management Plan and 

Record of Decision (1993), Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Vegetation 

Treatments Using Herbicides on Bureau of Land Management Lands in 17 Western States (2007), 

Vegetation Treatments on BLM Lands in 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Report 

(2007), Vegetation Treatments Using Aminopyralid, Flourozypyr, and Rimsulfuron on Bureau of Land 

Management Lands in the 17 Western States Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (2016).

Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Proposed

1) Treatment Objectives: Over thirty species of invasive or noxious weeds occur within the Carr Fire

perimeter. The BAER team vegetation specialists located seven invasive species within the Carr Fire

perimeter. These species were associated with fire suppression activities and are expected to expand into 

non-infested areas especially in areas with high soil burn severity. Invasive plant treatments will be

documented using Arc Collector or other GPS technology. Photo points and monitoring methodology will

be established per agency protocols. Treatment sites will be monitored for three years.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored. Noxious weed inventory and control will be reported

under the current standards using Pesticide Use Reports and documentation in the National Invasive

Species Information System (NISIMS).

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period. The monitoring protocol will be at the discretion of the BLM Redding Field Office. Monitoring

methods will involve repeated visits to infestation sites to give ocular estimates of the infestation. Photopoints during flowering periods can also be utilized. Long term monitoring of the area using methods such 

as line point intercept will also add more quantitative data for analysis to post-fire rehabilitation 

172
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Short Term AML Safety Fencing

for BLM

Spec-#

BLM-22-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection and Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protective Fences/Barriers WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

This treatment will provide for temporary t-post fencing and signs to keep people out of newly discovered mine 

features on BLM land until permanent closures can be put into place. It will also include Section 106 

compliance that will pave the way for the permanent closures. These mine openings pose significant safety 

threats to park visitors and agency staff.

TREATMENT 

General Description: A two person crew will visit the hazardous mine features identified in the BAER 

report to install t-post fencing and mine warning signs. These temporary safety measures will remain in 

place until more permanent closures can be installed.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: There are 15 hazardous mine openings located at the following sites: French 

Gulch Road (2), Kline Gulch (3), Clear Creek Road (2), Boswell Mine (1), West Side Trails (1), Keswick --

South of Keswick Dam (2), Chappy Shasta OHV Trail (1), Middle Creek Trail (1), Mad Ox Mine (1), and 

Gic Gulch (1). Specific locations have been given to BLM staff.

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Adit fencing will consist of two t-posts placed across the front of the portal.

• Shaft fencing will surround the entire feature.

• Each fence should have three strands of smooth wire and a mine hazard warning sign.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): These mine features 

were previously unknown or largely obscured by vegetation prior to the Carr fire. Their increased visibility 

poses a significant safety hazard for the visiting public.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: T-post fencing is inexpensive and easy to install. 

It can be put up and taken down quickly. When combined with signage, it will help protect BLM visitors 

until permanent mitigation can be put in place.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): This temporary 

treatment is consistent with the following BLM documents:

• Redding Resource Management Plan and Record of Decision, US Bureau of Land Management, 

Redding Resource Area, California. 1993

• Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County, California. Decision Record and Finding 

of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, CA-360-EA-2004-23

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ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Implementation Leader - BLM Spec-# BLM – 23 -ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Planning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * ES/BAER plan WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

The implementation leader will ensure the plan is implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

TREATMENT 

R1 – Project Management

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Fund a project leader to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the CARR 

Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Plan for the Redding Field Office. This specification 

provides for funding for a total of 26 pay periods in FY2019 to implement the BAER Plan.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Much of the work will center within the CARR Fire burned area, treatment 

areas are distributed throughout the fire and will need to be administered on a watershed basis

Design/Construction Specifications: The project leader is responsible for the oversight of the BAER

Plan implementation. The leader will implement each treatment to achieve efficient use of funds, 

personnel, equipment, and contracts. The leader will oversee monitoring, program review, proposed plan 

revisions, supplemental funding requests and will complete annual and final accomplishment reports in 

accordance to BLM BAER Policy and Guidelines. The leader will monitor work to ensure compliance with 

all relevant Federal laws and regulations, which include but are not limited to NEPA and NHPA mitigation 

requirements and all OSHA regulations and safety standards. The leader will manage the BAER Plan 

budget and track expenditures by specification and coordinate projects to ensure events occur in their 

proper order.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The purpose is to 

provide quality control and accountability over project implementation of treatments designed to respond 

to damage directly caused by the fire.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment addresses project 

implementation and fiscal oversite of the entire plan. Providing this fiscal oversite will ensure all of the 

treatments are accomplished efficiently and cost effective.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Actions proposed 

in the DOI CARR FIRE BAER Plan have been reviewed by the Redding Field Office Interdisciplinary 

Team and comply with policy and oversight. 

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ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Implementation Leader - BLM Spec-# BLM – 24 - BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Planning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY 20, 21, 22

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * ES/BAER plan WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

The implementation leader will ensure the plan is implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

TREATMENT 

R1 – Project Management

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Fund a project leader to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the CARR 

Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Plan for the Redding Field Office. This specification 

provides for funding for a total of 26 pay periods in FY2020, 2021, and 2022 to implement the BAER Plan.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Much of the work will center within the CARR Fire burned area, treatment 

areas are distributed throughout the fire and will need to be administered on a watershed basis

Design/Construction Specifications: The project leader is responsible for the oversight of the BAER 

Plan implementation. The leader will implement each treatment to achieve efficient use of funds, 

personnel, equipment, and contracts. The leader will oversee monitoring, program review, proposed plan 

revisions, supplemental funding requests and will complete annual and final accomplishment reports in 

accordance to BLM BAER Policy and Guidelines. The leader will monitor work to ensure compliance with 

all relevant Federal laws and regulations, which include but are not limited to NEPA and NHPA mitigation 

requirements and all OSHA regulations and safety standards. The leader will manage the BAER Plan 

budget and track expenditures by specification and coordinate projects to ensure events occur in their 

proper order.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The purpose is to 

provide quality control and accountability over project implementation of treatments designed to respond 

to damage directly caused by the fire. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment addresses project 

implementation and fiscal oversite of the entire plan. Providing this fiscal oversite will ensure all of the 

treatments are accomplished efficiently and cost effective.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Actions proposed 

in the DOI CARR FIRE BAER Plan have been reviewed by the Redding Field Office Interdisciplinary 

Team and comply with policy and regulations.

183
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Tree Hazard Surveillance - NPS Spec-# NPS-1-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* ES1 FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Tree Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How does this treatment affect the issue? For example, how does the issue affect ES1: Human Life and 

Safety?

Tree hazard surveillance will reduce the threat to human life along heavily used recreation roads, trails and 

developed areas. Tree mortality averages 70% throughout the fire. Completing this treatment begins the 

process of mitigating these hazards by identifying work to be done to make the roads, trails and developed 

areas safe for visitors and employees.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Survey all roads, trails and developed areas for tree hazards that are threats to life 

and property. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Tree hazards exist along all stretches of the paved and unpaved road system, 

trails and developed areas administered by Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. There are 

approximately 92 miles of paved and unpaved roads, 70 miles of trails and over 100 acres of developed 

areas within the fire perimeter. Project locations include the following roads: JFK Memorial Drive, Crystal 

Creek Road, Whiskey Creek Road, Paige Bar Road, County Line Road and many other unpaved roads. 

High priority trails include Brandy Creek Falls Trail, James Carr Trail, Princess Ditch Trail and many 

others. Developed sites include Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek, Whiskey Creek and all of the backcountry 

campgrounds. 

Design/Construction Specifications: Tree hazards along the developed roads and trail system and 

developed sites will be surveyed using experienced Foresters from NPS tree crews. Tree hazards will be 

identified as: any tree killed outright by the fire, trees with significant crown or bowl scorch, trees where 

fire has compromised cracks, cat faces, broken limbs, or severe lean towards the target.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

identify the tree hazards produced by the fire-caused mortality and damage.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment is only addressing the critical 

human safety-related elements of the tree hazards along all of the park’s roads, trails and developed 

sites. With virtually all of the park having burned, there is an enormous amount of work to do to identify 

the hazards which will need to be mitigated.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Whiskeytown 

General Management Plan 2001, Fire Management Plan 2004 

186
TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Tree Hazard Mitigation - NPS Spec-# NPS-2-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* ES1 FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Tree Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How does this treatment affect the issue? For example, how does the issue affect ES1: Human Life and 

Safety?

 Tree hazard surveillance has identified almost 900 tree hazards following Carr Fire which pose 

 immediate/short-term threats in developed sites, and along roads. This number will increase 

 significantly, as additional surveillance is performed. This treatment will mitigate identified hazards and 

 reduce threat to human life and property.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Mitigate identified tree hazards in developed sites, and along roadsides. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Tree hazards exist in almost all developed sites and along all stretches of the 

paved and unpaved road system administered by Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. There are over 

100 acres of developed sites and approximately 95 miles of paved and unpaved roads within the fire 

perimeter. Project locations include the following developed sites: Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek, Whiskey 

Creek and all of the backcountry campgrounds. Roads include: JFK Memorial Drive, Crystal Creek Road, 

Whiskey Creek Road, Paige Bar Road, County Line Road, and many other unpaved roads.. 

Design/Construction Specifications: Tree hazards in developed sites and along the road system will be

mitigated by NPS day labor and by contract. Tree hazards are defined as trees killed outright by the fire, 

trees with significant crown scorch, and/or bole char, and those whose structural integrity has been 

compromised by the fire, and which pose a threat to life/and/or property. Trees to be removed will be 

identified by an NPS forester and/or WHIS Hazard Tree Manager and marked with blue tree paint. Trees 

will be felled, limbed, bucked, and boles chipped, salvage logged, or hauled to biomass facility. Slash will 

be chipped and chips scattered on-site or stockpiled off-site, or lopped and scattered.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

mitigate trees killed, severely injured, and/or structurally damaged by fire.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment addresses the critical human 

safety-related element associated with tree hazards in/adjacent to developed sites, and along all of the 

park’s roads. 

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Whiskeytown 

General Management Plan (2001), Fire Management Plan (2004). 

189
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Tree Hazard Surveillance-BARNPS

Spec-#

NPS-3-BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* S13 FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY20, FY21

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Tree Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How does this treatment affect the issue? For example, how does the issue affect ES1: Human Life and 

Safety?

Long-term tree hazard surveillance will reduce the threat to human life along heavily used recreation roads, 

trails and developed areas in future years. Tree mortality averages 70% throughout the fire but will increase as 

time passes and trees begin to die due to stress and decay. This treatment will extend the monitoring of all the 

roads, trails and developed sites in the park in future years in an effort to prevent dying trees from injuring 

visitors and employees. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Survey all roads, trails and developed areas for tree hazards that are threats to life 

and property. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Tree hazards exist along all stretches of the paved and unpaved road system, 

trails and developed areas administered by Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. There are 

approximately 92 miles of paved and unpaved roads, 70 miles of trails and over 100 acres of developed 

areas within the fire perimeter. There will be many more trees that die in future years as stressed trees 

decay and die and become threats on all of the park’s roads, trails and developed areas. This includes all 

of the most heavily-travelled paved roads. Project locations include the following roads: paved roads 

such as JFK Memorial Drive, Crystal Creek Road, Whiskey Creek Road, Paige Bar Road, and Trinity 

Mountain Road. Unpaved roads include County Line Road, Muletown Road, Crystal Creek Road and 

South Shore Drive. High priority trails include Brandy Creek Falls Trail, James Carr Trail to Whiskeytown 

Falls, Princess Ditch Trail, Davis Gulch Trail and many others. Developed sites include Oak Bottom, 

Brandy Creek, Whiskey Creek and all of the backcountry campgrounds. 

Design/Construction Specifications: Tree hazards along the developed roads and trail system and 

developed sites will be surveyed using experienced Foresters from NPS tree crews or in-house staff. Tree 

hazards will be identified as: any tree that has decayed and has brown needles or leaves that would 

compromise the integrity of the tree. If trees have developed rot that could cause a failure, they will also 

be targeted for removal. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

identify the tree hazards produced by the fire-caused mortality and damage in the outlying years.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment is only addressing the critical 

human safety-related elements of the tree hazards along all of the park’s roads, trails and developed 

sites. With virtually all of the park having burned in 2018 and most of the imminent hazards removed at an 

earlier time, it will be time to monitor and survey for dead trees on an ongoing basis. This will be a yearround effort that is required to prevent significant loss of property or threat to humans. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Whiskeytown 

193
PART F - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION, EMERGENCY STABILIZATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Invasive Species – Early Detection 

Rapid Response

PART E 

Spec-# NPS-4-ES 

NFPORS TREATMENT

CATEGORY* Invasive species FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Chemical Treatment, Terrestrial 

Habitat Improvement

WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES Howell’s alkali grass

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE: 

General Description: 

On Whiskeytown National Park lands EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) treatments of invasive 

species in native vegetation communities are proposed to mitigate this threat. The establishment of a 

weed washing station was not implemented until late in the incident, which is expected to increase the 

threat of the introduction and/or spread of invasive weed species that exist within and adjacent to the 

Carr Fire. This specification outlines the application of manual and chemical treatments to reduce the 

competitive pressure of invasive weeds, including yellow starthistle, tocalote, diffuse knapweed, and 

brooms (French, Spanish and Scotch), St. Johnswort and puncture vine on the establishment of native 

plant communities within the Carr Fire. Application of manual and chemical treatments will greatly 

improve new recruitment of native species from surrounding unburned vegetation and seed 

germination from existing seeds stored within the seed bank. A high probability for the introduction and 

spread of invasive weeds exists in priority treatment areas where soil disturbance occurred related to 

suppression-related activities including dozerlines, handlines, staging areas and safety zones. Road 

and riparian areas also serve as corridors for transporting invasive weeds to recently burned areas. 

These areas are necessary for treatment to allow the re-establishment of vegetation, which is unlikely 

to recover post-fire without intervention due to competition from invasive weed species. Inventory will 

occur in areas having high vegetation mortality as these areas have a high probability (>90%) for 

invasive weed invasion. Some areas are excluded from treatment due to the native vegetation 

community’s ability to recover post-fire (areas of unburned to low vegetation mortality since these are 

expected to resprout and regenerate from seed). Various treatment methods will be utilized including 

hand pulling and backpack sprayers. See Appendix for itemized cost sheet.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for treatment are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, staging 

areas, drop points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, and riparian areas that 

experienced moderate to high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity. There are a total of 4 acres of 

drop points, 15 acres and 12 miles of dozerlines, 2 acres and 2 miles of hand lines, and 5,491 acres 

and 78 miles of roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads that 

were bulldozed. There are 8 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that will be 

inventoried. In addition, 3,855 acres of high vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the fire on 

NPS lands, 9,375 acres and 92 miles have been identified as appropriate for invasive species inventory 

and treatment on WNRA lands. Emphasis will be within and adjacent to invasive weed locations. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive 

species/noxious weeds. 

• Apply herbicides at the recommended rate listed in the label for the targeted species with a non-ionic 

surfactant and a blue dye. 

• Treatment will be timed to apply herbicide to actively growing invasive species in fall of 2018 (FY2019) 

after the first rains (so that herbicide does not bind to ash), but prior to green-up to maximize efficacy. 

• Applications will be made by backpack sprayers as specified by the herbicide label.

197
• Hand pulling will be conducted on small invasive species populations located during inventory. If plant 

is in fruit or seed these will be bagged and disposed of accordingly. 

• If follow-up applications are needed as determined through monitoring, herbicide applications should 

occur during the appropriate phenology as determined by the herbicide label or local knowledge.

• Herbicide applications will only be made by qualified applicators according to the label and following 

state and federal regulations. All applications must be documented and reported according to state and 

federal guidelines.

• Monitor treatment efficacy (see Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring 

designs).

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, noxious species can outcompete existing vegetation and 

lead to an altered plant community that serves less ecological function and has less resiliency than its 

pre-wildfire condition. Native vegetation recovery is likely to be impacted by off-road and off-trail travel 

and invasive species introduction and establishment. Initial concerns include maintaining the ecological 

health and integrity of watersheds within the fire perimeter. Sensitive plant species populations, unique 

plant communities, native plant communities, native seed banks, and soil productivity have been 

impacted in moderate to high Soil Burn Severity (SBS) areas of the fire. The burned area, now lacking 

desired vegetation that can normally outcompete invasive species, is vulnerable to the establishment 

and expansion of invasive seed sources outside and adjacent to burned areas especially where native 

seed banks and soil productivity are compromised (see Carr Fire Vegetation Assessment 2018). In the 

low SBS areas, it will take at least one growing season--summer 2019--until native vegetation can 

reestablish and compete with invasive species. In moderate to high SBS areas, vegetation recovery is 

expected to take longer and will vary based on pre-fire vegetation community and location within the 

fire perimeter. Invasive species are likely to establish at a much faster rate in certain areas, further 

impacting Special Status Species plants and their associated habitat. The presence of invasive 

species may prevent establishment of desirable perennial grasses, shrubs, and tree seedlings and can 

increase future fire hazards with the establishment of flashy non-native annual species that often

become established post-fire. 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Hand treatments (pulling, digging, etc.) can be used on small infestations, on sites where herbicides 

are prohibited according to local restrictions, or local agency policy. Herbicide treatment increases the 

probability of success for native species regeneration. Prompt application of this treatment is the most 

cost-effective response to the risk of further infestation by invasive plant species. Lack of treatment 

would put these areas at risk for dominance by invasive species with potential spread into adjacent 

plant communities and habitats with intact native perennial vegetation. Providing an EDRR program to 

minimize infestations on this fire will protect and maintain general wildlife habitat, help stabilize soils 

and hydrology by allowing for natural regeneration, and provide reliable quality forage for wildlife on an 

annual basis. 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): In order to 

insure watershed health, control or eradication of noxious weeds on both upland and riparian areas will 

be in cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies, as well as private groups or other 

interested parties. Executive Order 13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive Species established the format to

federal agencies to develop programs dealing with invasive species. Invasive weed inventory of the 

disturbed sites within the Carr Fire boundary will conducted and reported under the current standards 

using Pesticide Use Reports and a local geospatial database. Other Regulations and Policies include: 

Whiskeytown NRA General Management Plan (1999), NPS Management Directive No. 038, NPS 

Management Policies 2001, 4.4.4, Whiskeytown NRA Fire Management Plan (2004). This specification 

will compliment WNRA Natural Resource Cyclic Maintenance for FY18, # PMIS 214586.

Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Proposed

Noxious weed inventory of the disturbed sites within the Carr Fire boundary will be conducted and 

reported under the current standards using Pesticide Use Reports and a local geospatial database. 

198
PART E - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION, BURNED AREA REHABILITATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Invasive Species – Early Detection 

Rapid Response

PART E 

Spec-# NPS-5-BAR 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Invasive species FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2020, 2021,2022

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Chemical Treatment, Terrestrial 

Habitat Improvement

WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES Howell’s alkali grass

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE: 

General Description: 

On National Park Service (NPS) lands continue Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) and conduct 

follow-up inventory and treatments of invasive species in priority areas described in Weed Treatment 

E5S. This specification outlines the application of manual and chemical treatments to reduce the 

competitive pressure of invasive weeds. Inventory will also continue in areas having high vegetation 

mortality/soil burn severity as these areas have a high probability (>90%) for invasive weed invasion. 

Various treatment methods will be utilized including hand pulling, backpack sprayers and/or truck/UTV 

boom mounted spray units. Approved NPS herbicides will be used. Work will be conducted by NPS 

crews. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for treatment are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, staging 

areas, drop points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, and riparian areas that 

experienced moderate to high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity. There are a total of 4 acres of 

drop points, 15 acres and 12 miles of dozerlines, 2 acres and 2 miles of hand lines, and 5,491 acres 

and 78 miles of roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads that 

were bulldozed. There are 8 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that will be 

inventoried. In addition, 3,855 acres of high vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the fire on 

WNRA lands, 9,375 acres and 92 miles have been identified as appropriate for invasive species 

inventory and treatment on NPS lands. Emphasis will be within and adjacent to invasive weed 

locations. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive 

species/noxious weeds. Inventory sites treated in FY19.

• Apply herbicides at the recommended rate listed in the label for the targeted species with a non-ionic 

surfactant and a blue dye. 

• Applications will be made by truck/UTV boom sprayers or backpack sprayers as specified by the 

herbicide label and as required by NPS. 

• Hand pulling will be conducted on small invasive species populations and where herbicide spraying is 

not appropriate or allowed. If plant is in fruit or seed these will be bagged and disposed of accordingly.

• Herbicide applications will only be made by qualified applicators according to the label and following 

state and federal regulations. All applications must be documented and reported according to state and 

federal guidelines.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, invasive species can outcompete existing vegetation and 

lead to an altered plant community that serves less ecological function and has less resiliency than its 

pre-wildfire condition. Sensitive plant species populations, unique plant communities, native plant 

communities, native seed banks, and soil productivity have been impacted in moderate to high Soil 

Burn Severity (SBS) areas of the fire. The burned area, now lacking desired vegetation that can 

normally outcompete invasive species, is vulnerable to the establishment and expansion of invasive 

seed sources outside and adjacent to burned areas especially where native seed banks and soil 

203
productivity are compromised (see Carr Fire Vegetation Assessment 2018). In moderate to high SBS 

areas, vegetation recovery is expected to take longer and will vary based on pre-fire vegetation 

community and location within the fire perimeter. Invasive species are likely to establish at a much 

faster rate in certain areas, further impacting Special Status Species plants and their associated 

habitat. The presence of invasive species may prevent establishment of desirable perennial grasses, 

shrubs, and tree seedlings and can increase future fire hazards with the establishment of flashy nonnative annual species that often become established post-fire. 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Follow-up treatments will ensure treatments conducted in FY19 were successful and to determine the 

efficacy of herbicide applications. Size and abundance of invasive plant infestations would be 

compared between years one through three. Inventory and EDRR increases the probability of success 

for native species regeneration. Prompt application of this treatment is the most cost-effective 

response to the risk of further infestation by invasive plant species. Lack of treatment would put these 

areas at risk for dominance by invasive species with potential spread into adjacent plant communities 

and habitats with intact native perennial vegetation. The Whiskeytown NRA General Management Plan

outlines strategies for the inventory and treatment of invasive species and noxious weeds.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): In order to 

insure watershed health, control or eradication of noxious weeds on both upland and riparian areas will 

be in cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies, as well as private groups or other 

interested parties. Executive Order 13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive Species established the format to 

federal agencies to develop programs dealing with invasive species. Other Regulations and Policies 

include: Whiskeytown NRA General Management Plan (1999), NPS Management Directive No. 038, 

NPS Management Policies 2001, 4.4.4, Whiskeytown NRA Fire Management Plan (2004). This 

specification will compliment WNRA Natural Resource Cyclic Maintenance for FY18, # PMIS 214586.

Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Proposed See R13 – Monitoring, Noxious Weeds

Noxious weed inventory of the disturbed sites within the Carr Fire boundary will be conducted and 

reported under the current standards using Pesticide Use Reports and a local geospatial database. 

Over thirty species of invasive or noxious weeds occur within the Carr Fire perimeter. The BAER team 

vegetation specialists located 6 invasive species within the Carr Fire perimeter on WNRA lands. These 

species were associated with fire suppression activities and known pre-fire locations and are expected 

to expand into non-infested areas especially in areas with high soil burn severity. The goal of years 2 

through 3 is to ensure watershed health by control or eradication of noxious weeds reduce competition 

of invasive and promote the establishment of native species.

The monitoring protocol will be at the discretion of the BLM Redding Field Office. Monitoring methods 

will involve repeated visits to infestation sites to give ocular estimates of the infestation. Photo-points 

during flowering periods can also be utilized. Long term monitoring of the area using methods such as 

line point intercept will also add more quantitative data for analysis to post-fire rehabilitation (see 

Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring designs). Monitoring will occur in 

years 2 through 3. 

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below).

COST / 

ITEM

204
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVI

TY NAME

Historic Blacksmith Shop 

Stabilization

Spec-# NPS-6-ES

NFPORS 

TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources

FISCAL 

YEAR(S)

(list each 

year):

2019

NFPORS 

TREATMENT TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT 

RISK

IMPACTED 

T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: The Historic Blacksmith Shop, located on NPS land, burned during the Carr Fire. 

Stabilization will be required to prevent deterioration of the historic structure. A number of tasks will be 

required to stabilize the structure, including inspection of the condition of cribbing behind the back wall, 

replacing burned timbers, repacking cribbing with tamped soil, inspecting the condition of the French drain 

and geotextile fabric behind the wall, and repair/replace as necessary. Fire-burned logs and debris from

the slope behind building need to be removed. Rebuild bracing with new lumber and place straw wattle 

tubing behind the walls to protect ruins from post-fire debris accumulation. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: The site is located within Camden House Historic District, at the corner of 

Highway 299 and Trinity Mountain Road in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, 

California. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Replace wall bracing before initiating other work on the structure. 

2. Retain the existing grid wire wall panels and replace existing lumber using new 2x6 timbers, 

preferably rough-cut dimensional, to provide sufficient strength to resist lateral earth pressure. 

3. Existing bracing should be replaced in sections to prevent inadvertent collapse of the wall during 

construction. 

4. Stack and retain sandbags along the bottom of the grid wire wall to help secure the bottom of the 

grid wire to the rock wall, which is beginning to kick out. 

5. Replace wattle tubing along back of both back and side walls to prevent erosion and debris 

collection on the ruin. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The bracing 

members added after the Motion Fire in 2014 have partially burned, leading to insufficient shoring of the 

historic rock walls. This treatment will replace burned shoring, and will stabilize the site until the park 

develops and implements a permanent solution. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness:

Shoring of the walls with timber bracing is a bare minimum approach to stabilizing the site. Treatment will 

prevent further deterioration, using minimal labor and materials. The treatment is cost effective in 

completing only the work needed to stabilize the structure in its’ current condition and reasonable in 

helping the park meet the NPS mission to preserve cultural resources.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

Preservation of historical resources is consistent with NPS policy- Cultural Resource Management 

Guidelines (NPS-28) and Foundation Document, Whiskeytown NRA (2014).

206
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Historic El Dorado Mine 

Stabilization

Spec-#

NPS-7-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES N/A

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: This treatment will remove metal and debris from buildings that burned during the 

Carr Fire to reduce safety hazards for visitors and allow staff to assess what artifacts are damaged. A

temporary sloped roof cover will be placed over the former building site to protect extant artifacts and 

mining equipment from weather damage.

Sandbags will be stacked along the unstable upper terrace dry-stacked stone retaining wall to stabilize 

the wall in the event of heavy erosion or debris flows. 

Open adits are located within the area open to visitors. The AML Assessment and Specifications will 

address these hazards.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: El Dorado Historic District Cultural Landscape in Whiskeytown National 

Recreation Area, Shasta County, California, is located south of Highway 229 on the west

side of Mill Creek and is accessed via a historic road that leads to the site. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Stack sandbags level to the top of the of the stone wall, 4 

bags deep and tiered. Stacking should be done with 

staggered seams, like a brick wall. 

2. Build two raised shed roofs in the locations of the burned

buildings to cover the stamp mill, ore cars, and extent 

unmovable artifacts recovered from the collapsed 

buildings. Use deck blocks, treated 4x4 posts, 2x4 joists, 

and painted 1⁄2” or greater CDX plywood or corrugated 

metal roofing.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

The slope above the retaining walls had a high severity burn which destroyed vegetation, destabilized 

trees, and desiccated soils, resulting in an increased risk of debris flows during or following heavy or 

prolonged rain events. Sloughing soil has already begun to dislodge rocks and cause failure. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Debris removal is necessary to allow visitors access to the site and facilitate assessment of artifacts. Very 

little material requisition is required to stabilize the remainder of the site and can be accomplished with 

day-labor using park-service vehicles. Sand bags can be delivered pre-filled and stacked by unskilled 

day-labor, CCC, or inmate crews to save on labor costs. Work is cost effective in completing only the 

necessary measures to stabilize the site in its’ current condition and reasonable in helping the park meet 

the NPS mission to preserve cultural resources.

209
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Historic Redwood Water Tank 

Dismantle and Storage

Spec-#

NPS-8-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: The redwood water tank (LCS ID 007420), a contributing structure of the Camden 

House Historic District Cultural Landscape, was heavily damaged during the Carr Fire. The cone roof 

burned completely, and the redwood staves and floor are heavily damaged leaving the structure unusable 

and structurally unstable. 

The treatment for this site is to remove the burned lumber, retain any reusable hardware and historic 

components, and connect a temporary water tank to the system until the redwood tank can be rebuilt. 

 Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

The water tank located is on a hill just north of the intersection of Highway 299 and Trinity Mountain 

Road, above the Blacksmith Shop Ruins in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, 

California. 

 Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. All timber components will be removed and properly disposed of. 

2. Intact metal straps and plumbing connections should be retained for use in future reconstruction 

of the tank. 

3. A green 3000-gallon water can be placed on the existing concrete foundation, and plumbed into 

the current system to provide water to the orchard. 

4. The tank will need to be filled periodically by a water truck. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

This treatment would mitigate safety concerns for a fire-damaged historic water tank, and provide an 

alternative source of irrigation water for a historic apple orchard.

 Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

The historic water tank is a contributing structure to the Camden House Historic District Cultural 

Landscape and is an integral part of the Crystal Creek Ditch, the historic water conveyance system that 

provides water to the district’s historic apple orchard. The treatment is intended to be temporary until a 

permanent reconstruction project is undertaken by the park. Procurement of a temporary water tank will 

allow the park to maintain irrigation to the apple orchard in the interim. The temporary tank will minimize 

labor costs required to keep the trees watered, and will only require periodic refilling from a water truck. 

212
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Historic Stone House Stabilization Spec-# NPS-9-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES N/A

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

The mortared stone building was destabilized when a fire-killed tree fell on the structure. Mortared stones 

were dislodged along the top of the front wall where the tree struck the building and an adjacent stacked rock 

wall was also struck when the tree fell. If this wall section were to further degrade and collapse the building 

integrity will be compromised. The heavy timber door frame, which provides structural support, also burned. 

Loss of the door frame has contributed to destabilization of the mortared stone building.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: A wood framed structure, located on NPS land, will be constructed to buttress the 

destabilized mortared stone front wall of the building. The buttress structure location will be prepared by 

removing the fallen tree and clearing wood and rock debris. The buttress structure will be anchored into 

the ground with rebar sections. A secondary buttress structure will be constructed on the building interior 

if needed. The structure should be constructed with rough cut dimensional lumber to maintain historical 

character and provide a stronger, more robust framework. The structure doorway frame will be replaced 

with dimensional rough cut timbers of the same dimensions as the burned doorway frame. The work 

should be completed in consultation with the park archaeologist and include monitoring by an 

archaeological technician if warranted.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: The stone house (CA-SHA-2715H) is located along the east side of Clear 

Creek east of Trinity Mountain Road and north of its’ junction with state highway 299. The structure is 

situated along the footslope of Merry Mountain in Section 34 (T33N, R7E). The work site consists of the 

area inside and immediately in front of the structure. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Shoring for the front wall of the mortared rock building will be constructed using heavy timbers to 

support the destabilized front wall. 

• The buttress structure will be cross braced and anchored to the ground with rebar. The shoring 

will extend to cover the affected wall section and is estimated to be approximately 10 feet across 

and 5 feet tall. 

• If necessary similar shoring of appropriate dimensions will be placed against the front wall on the 

interior of the structure. 

• Rough cut timbers matching the historical dimensions of the burned doorframe will be used to 

replace the doorframe and provide additional support to the front wall of the stone house.

• Work will be monitored by park cultural resource staff. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment is 

needed to stabilize a historic mortared rock building that was struck by a large fire-killed oak tree that fell 

during the 2018 Carr Fire. The impact from the falling tree dislodged mortared stones along the top of the 

front wall and the force of the impact caused an irregular vertical fracture in the center of the wall south of 

the doorway. In addition the fire burned the heavy timber doorframe that supports the rock mortared wall 

above the door. The treatment will stabilize the wall and help preserve the structural integrity of the 

historic building.

215
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Archaeological Site Protection 

Patrols

Spec-#

NPS-10-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protect Heritage Resources WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES NA

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

How does this treatment affect the issue? For example, how does the issue affect ES1: Human Life and 

Safety?

Over 200 known Archaeological sites are at risk of looting and vandalism because the fire removed vegetation 

that was camouflaging artifacts and features. This treatment will protect exposed sensitive pre-contact and 

historic cultural resources and deter looters. This is a temporary measure until vegetation recovers on the 

sites and conceals artifacts and features.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

Patrol selected pre-contact and historic sites and localities to monitor for site looting and vandalism. Tribal 

Monitors or an NPS seasonal archaeologist will report instances of site looting or vandalism to agency 

archaeologists who will notify Law Enforcement of the infractions. Patrols will occur on NPS lands within 

the burn area and at select areas affected by suppression impacts which may be outside of the fire 

perimeter.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Burned area and adjacent areas where suppression activities affected cultural resources. Information 

specific to the location and description of cultural resources is sensitive and exempt from public disclosure 

under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 and the Freedom of Information Act. NPS

archaeologists will provide site location information to tribal monitors and a seasonal employee. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. NPS Archaeologists will coordinate monitoring patrols with Certified Tribal Monitors from the 

Redding Rancheria and Wintu tribal organizations. 

2. Monitors will undertake systematic and discretionary patrols along public trails and roads. 

3. A seasonal NPS Archaeologist will monitor sites that are in remote areas with more difficult 

access.

4. Monitors will document instances of looting, vandalism and patrol events and will report this 

information to NPS Archaeologists.

5. Monitors will not make contact with individuals encountered at archaeological sites.

6. NPS Archaeologists will provide looting or vandalism information to law enforcement for action.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

To protect exposed sensitive historic and prehistoric cultural resources and deter looters. This is a 

temporary measure until sufficient green-up occurs to conceal some cultural materials.

218
Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

a. Agency cultural resource personnel and Tribal monitors will monitor sites for condition and

evidence of looting and degradation

b. A second measure of effectiveness will be the number of law enforcement actions taken upon

report of violations.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act of 1962 as amended through 1992.

General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National 

Recreation Area, Pacific West Region, 1999.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

a. Undertake systematic and discretionary monitoring patrols to prevent looting and vandalism at

archaeological sites.

b. Provide information to law enforcement for action.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

NPS archaeologists will coordinate monitoring activities and will track areas monitored, evidence of looting, 

vandalism or degradation at sites, number of people observed in the vicinity of sites or suspicious behaviors, 

and subsequent actions taken by law enforcement of reported violations

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

1. Post-Fire site condition assessments will be used as a baseline for tracking evidence of looting or

vandalism at sites.

2. Tribal monitors in coordination with NPS archaeologists will make multiple visits to areas identified as

sensitive and document occurrences of looting, vandalism or degradation on sites or the presence of

suspicious individuals in the area.

3. NPS archaeologists will provide oversight of monitoring activities and will document patrol events.

4. Monitoring will occur within the first year after the fire or until vegetation becomes re-established on

sites and obscures artifacts and features.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL COST

219
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Archaeological Site Condition 

Assessments - NPS

Spec-#

NPS-11-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK No IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Conduct Archaeological Site Condition Assessments at archaeological sites within the fire perimeter on 

Whiskeytown NRA to assess potential damage to cultural resources from post-fire effects and to prescribe 

treatments for the emergency stabilization and rehabilitation of sites and structures to prevent adverse effects 

from post-fire erosion and other fire related effects and impacts.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

This specification addresses the need for additional site condition assessments on National Park Service 

(NPS) lands within the 2018 Carr Fire boundaries. Thirty-six archeological sites on NPS lands affected by 

the 2018 Carr Fire were inspected for site condition during the initial BAER planning and assessment 

process. However, it was not possible to inspect all sites potentially affected by the fire due to limited 

cultural resource personnel capacity, logistics accessing sites, quantity of sites, and time constraints. As a 

result, 87 NPS managed archaeological sites still require post-fire condition assessments. 

Site visits will allow staff to assess potential damage to cultural resources and prescribe treatments for the 

emergency stabilization and rehabilitation of the sites and structures to avoid adverse effects from postfire erosion and other fire related effects and impacts. Assessments will include time for conducting 

additional record searches, tribal consultation, GIS data development and management, and 

management of photos and other field collected data. Consultations with the California State Historic 

Preservation Officer, American Indian tribes and groups, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers will be 

conducted prior to prescribing treatments to minimize or mitigate post-fire related effects to cultural 

resources.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Eight-seven (87) pre-contact and historic sites within the Carr-Fire perimeters located on NPS lands will 

be assessed. Cultural resource locations are exempt from public disclosure under the Archaeological 

Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA), and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Assess 87 sites within the Carr-Fire perimeter located on NPS lands

2. A GS-11 archeologist will supervise the work of a GS-7 archeological technician (NPS-14-ES 

specification). 

3. Assessment information of each site will be recorded on an Emergency Post-Fire Inspection Form; 

field notes and photographs will be taken at each site; and GPS data and other information will be 

collected and used for sketching threatened or disturbed cultural features or associated items at each 

site

221
4. A determination will be made if emergency stabilization is needed to preserve significant information 

from potential precipitation events or winter weather events

5. Prescribed treatments for each assessed archaeological site will consider consultation results 

between the State Historic Preservation Officer, American Indian tribes and groups and Tribal Historic 

Preservation Officers and the NPS

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Site assessments are necessary to determine if emergency stabilization is needed to preserve significant 

archaeological and cultural resources at sites during the first year after the fire. Assessments are 

necessary to evaluate and document the risk to archaeological and cultural resources from the effects of 

post-fire flooding, debris flows, severe erosion, looting of exposed artifacts and possible sub-surface 

materials. Treatment recommendations will be commensurate with disturbances and threats or “risk” at 

each site.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Managing National Register listed sites are part of the National Park Service’s mission. 36 CFR 

800.5.A.2.vi states that neglect of a historic property which causes its deterioration is an adverse effect, 

and NPS Directors Order #28 provides policy guidelines for managing historic properties. Without 

baseline data derived from on-site condition assessments, impacts to historic properties from the fire 

could not be quantified, thus statistically significant information could not be developed for making 

emergency stabilization recommendations and treatment specifications at individual sites. Without this 

baseline data, unassessed sites could deteriorate, adverse effects could occur (800.5.A.2.vi) and potential 

risks such as exposed human remains and other NAGPRA issues or inadvertent discoveries could arise 

and become problematic. Without these site assessments, it would be unknown if erosion of intact cultural 

deposits are at risk of eroding. If direct and indirect fire effects or “risk” is not immediately identified and 

addressed, erosional issues could exponentially reduce site integrity and potentially increase future data 

recovery and stabilization costs, and possibly negatively affecting tribal relations. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

- Directors Order #28, Cultural Resource Management Guidelines June 11, 1998

- 36 CFR 800.5.A.2.vi

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

- Condition assessments will be conducted on known/documented pre-contact and historic archaeological 

sites within the Carr fire perimeter, and determinations made if emergency stabilization treatments are 

needed at individual locations 

- Baseline data will be collected from which informed decisions can be made that will guide treatment 

recommendations for protecting and preserving historic properties at risk from post-fire effects

- Sites will be assessed for potential risks from erosion, looting, vandalism or other direct or indirect threats 

caused by or as a result of the fire 

- Site condition assessments will include the identification of safety hazards (open adits and shafts) at 

historic mining sites

- Visiting individual site locations will help ground truth and improve burn severity model data that could be 

used for assessing areas that may have a high probability of undocumented sites 

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored:

222
- A BAER site assessment form will be completed for each of the 87 historic properties assessed.

- GS-11 archeologist will provide a brief progress report (one page or less) that will summarize weekly

progress of the GS-7 archeological technician’s after assessing about 33 percent of the total sites, then a

second progress report of the same length will be written that will summarize the results of the GS-7

archeological technician’s progress after assessing another 33 percent of the total sites

- A final third report (site assessment summary report) will be written that will summarize the results of the

remaining 30 percent of total sites assessed, and will summarize the assessments at all 87 sites

- The third and final report will identify any potential issues with erosion, looting, vandalism or other direct

or indirect threats caused by or as a result of the fire, and will identify any safety hazards

- Each report will be provided to the NPS’s Cultural Resource Manager within a reasonable time frame in

order to monitor the quantity and quality of the GS-7 archeological technician’s data collected, and to

allow time for planning site visits and or modifications to data collection and condition assessment

methods and or treatment recommendations

- Management of photos of assessed sites will be conducted and reviewed.

- GIS data will be collected and reviewed in ArcMap

- Emergency stabilization treatments and related assessment data will be reviewed in GIS metadata

developed for point lines or polygons derived from field data collection

- Emergency Post-Fire Inspection Forms containing site assessment data and treatment

recommendations will be added to existing site forms and will be reviewed by NPS’s Cultural Resource

Manager

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

- Eighty-seven (87) sites will have emergency stabilization treatment prescriptions

- The GS-7 archeological technician will be on site to monitor stabilization and treatment implementation

- Field notes and georeferenced photos will be taken of stabilization and treatment operations

- GPS data will be collected during stabilization and treatment operations that will assist in documentation

and monitoring stabilization and treatment processes

- GS-11 archeologist will spot check stabilization and treatment implementation at chosen or randomly

selected sites over the course of one year or during emergency stabilization operations

- Meetings between the GS-7, GS-11 and NPS’s Cultural Resource Manager will occur after each

progress report is submitted or when necessary

- A final monitoring report will be written that will summarize results of the completed treatment

specifications and will be appended to the final site assessment summary report

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL COST

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (Item @ Cost/Each X Quantity X #Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): COST / ITEM

TOTAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLY COST

TRAVEL COST (Personnel or Equipment @ Rate X Round Trips X #Fiscal Years = 

Cost/Item): COST / ITEM

223
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Historic Crystal Creek Ditch 

Stabilization - NPS

Spec-#

NPS-12-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK No IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: A cultural resource investigation of the Crystal Creek Ditch (a contributing element 

of the Camden House Historic District) was conducted during the initial BAER planning and assessment 

process for the 2018 Carr Fire. Findings indicate that components of this historic property were severely 

impacted by the fire and are at risk of failing and will be adversely affected by erosion and other 

weathering processes. 

To return the ditch to a functional state, this specification includes four components: 1) Clear fire-killed 

trees and fallen trees within 15 feet either side of the ditch; 2) Clear woody debris and minor amounts of 

sediment within the ditch deposited as a result of the fire; 3) Fill burned out stump holes and burned out 

root holes within the inboard and outboard edges of the earthen ditch structure; and 4) Repair steel catwalk infrastructure damaged by fallen trees, replace burned cat-walk boards associated with the ditch’s 

flumes, reconstruct burned cross-culvert frames and support structures, and replace fire damaged 

bearings and other mechanical parts at the burned out clean-out shed for visitor safety and to prevent 

further degradation of the mechanical infrastructure. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

The Crystal Creek Ditch is located approximately 21 miles north of Redding, California, specifically within 

T33N, R7W, Sec. 33, 34, and 4; and T32N, R7W, Sec. 4 (see attached map). The historic ditch extends 

for over 7,736 feet within the historic mining district. Fire killed trees and fallen trees to be treated are 

clustered near the water ditch intake and distributed at several other locations along the ditch. Sediment 

and woody debris to be removed are distributed along the entire length of the ditch, but increase in 

quantity within areas of high slope and heavily forested areas adjacent to the ditch. The burned out stump 

holes and root-hole are located within the previously heavily forested areas along the entire length of the 

ditch. One steel cat-walk attached to a steel flume to convey water across a steep canyon side has 

damaged steel components and burned cat-walk boards and is located within 100 feet of the ditch’s

water-intake. Another fire damaged catwalk also associated with a flume is located about 1,700 feet 

northeast of the water-intake. The burned cross-culvert frames and support structures are situated at 

approximately eight locations where major drainages intersect the ditch at right angles. Fire damaged 

bearings and other mechanical parts associated with the debris clean-out mechanism are located at the 

burned out clean-out shed situated below the Crystal Creek trailhead approximately 700 feet southwest of 

the intersection of Highway 299 and Crystal Creek Road. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. NPS crews guiding California Conservation Camp Program (CCCP) convict crews will clear firekilled trees using chain saws and other hand tools within about 15 feet either side of the ditch. 

2. CCCP crews with guidance by NPS personnel will clear woody debris and minor amounts of 

sediment within the ditch, and fill at least 160 burned out stump holes and root holes within the 

inboard and outboard edges of the ditch and or directly at the edge of the earthen ditch structure. 

3. NPS will also repair steel cat-walk infrastructure, replace burned cat-walk boards, reconstruct 

burned cross-culvert frames and support structures, and replace fire damaged bearings and other 

225
fire damaged mechanical parts at the clean-out shed using in house labor and tools or via local 

sources through small purchase requests or contract. 

4. Inspect the Syphon Slip liner using a camera on a gimbal to determine whether the fire impacted 

the liner which could compromise function of the ditch. The syphon goes under Highway 299 and 

connects the southern portion of the ditch to the portion of the ditch which parallels the highway.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

The purpose of the treatment specification is for emergency stabilization of the earthen and rock features 

and other associated components of the Crystal Creek Ditch to eliminate erosion and emanate failure of 

the ditch and associated components if not addressed. 

Emergency stabilization is needed to restore and preserve the structural integrity of the ditch that was 

severely compromised by the Carr Fire. Stabilization of the ditch and associated components will 

eliminate potential future adverse effects to this historic property caused by erosion and other weathering 

factors. 

Stabilizing the ditch and addressing other fire damaged components will also facilitate irrigation of fire 

affected historic orchards in the Camden and Tower Ditch Historic District, ensuring their preservation and 

stability. The historic orchards, also a contributing elements of the Camden and Tower Historic Mining 

District, have historically and currently rely on water conveyed by the ditch. These orchards area at risk of 

dying unless the integrity of the ditch and its components area restored and the ditch system is returned 

to a functional state.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Without the treatments, the NRHP ditch will further degrade. Managing National Register listed sites are 

part of the National Park Service’s mission. 36 CFR 800.5.A.2.vi states that neglect of a historic property 

which causes its deterioration is an adverse effect, and NPS Directors Order #28 provides policy 

guidelines for managing historic properties.

This is the minimum treatment method to stabilize to minimize or negate deterioration resulting from fire 

effects or post fire conditions. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

Directors Order #28, Cultural Resource Management Guidelines June 11, 1998.

-36 CFR 800.5.A.2.vi

Holland, F. Ross, Jr.

1971 Tower House Historic District, Whiskeytown NRA, CA. National Register of

Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form (added 1973 - District - #73000257).

National Park Service (NPS)

2008 Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Tower House Historic District, Cultural

Landscape Interim Treatment Report. NPS Pacific West Region, Cultural

Landscapes Program.

Melinick, Robert

2015 Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Crystal Creek Water Ditch Assessment and Treatment 

Repair plan

226
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Previously Assessed Historic 

Property Stabilizations - NPS

Spec-#

NPS-13-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Hazard trees within the perimeter and/or immediate vicinity of known, significant cultural features and 

archaeological sites have the potential to adversely affect cultural resources when they ultimately fall. These 

trees also pose a risk to archaeological personnel conducting site assessments and monitoring activities. The 

removal of hazard trees will help to mitigate further damage to significant sites managed by the National Park 

Survey at Whiskeytown RNA. 

TREATMENT 

General Description: Indirect impacts from the Carr Fire are, or have the potential to further degrade 

important attributes of cultural features or archaeological sites on lands managed by the NPS within the 

fire perimeter. This specification consists of three components: (1) Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees 

from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fall fire killed hazard trees to reduce site 

surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; and 3) Repair existing exclusionary fencing 

surrounding sites to discourage access. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Archaeological sites identified during post-fire site condition assessments which require stabilization 

treatments to prevent further degradation from erosion, fire-killed trees or other threats: SHA-192H, SHA193, SHA-196, SHA-2742H, SHA-3634, SHA-3786H, SHA-4383, SHA-493, Camden House, El Dorado 

Mine, SHA-2764H, Kate Camden Gravesite, and the Levi Tower Gravesite. The fence between SHA-625,

a Wintu Ethnographic Site, and the Highway has been damaged and will be replaced to protect the site. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Removal of fire killed hazard trees identified as a threat to thirteen (13) assessed archaeological sites

or as a hazard to archaeology crew members conducting site assessments, and removal of trees that 

have fallen onto archaeological features within site boundaries. Tree and log removal, either through 

chipping, directional felling, or lop and scatter methods, will be completed by NPS Roads/Trails crew

personnel with on-site guidance from NPS archaeology personnel on hazard tree location and 

directional falling preference (if any). 

2. Repair/reconstruction of existing exclusionary fence line surrounding previously identified sites. NPS

Force Account will complete any needed fence repair with on-site guidance from NPS archaeology 

personnel. The work is designed to exclude pedestrian traffic on-site and decrease looting potential. 

All work will be completed in FY19. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Hazard trees pose a continued threat to archaeological resources and the personnel responsible for 

managing those resources on-site until they are successfully felled and removed. Surface features such 

as dry stacked rock foundations can be toppled by falling trees, and subsurface features such as 

housepits can be disturbed by uprooted root balls. Chipping and/or lop and scatter methods will effectively 

disperse downed fuels while also helping to stabilize surface soils and make surface artifacts less visible 

and susceptible to looting. Directional falling perpendicular to site slopes can also reduce erosion potential 

where appropriate. 

230
Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Proposed treatments will effectively protect some of the most significant archaeological resources within 

the fire perimeter on NPS managed lands. Should proposed treatments not take place, the cost of 

mitigation efforts after site damage and/or disturbance occurs will greatly exceed treatment costs. All work 

will be conducted in-house by NPS permanent and seasonal staff, reducing costs, streamlining treatment 

timelines, and increasing overall efficiency by having personnel work together in the field at the same time 

to make determinations that most effectively protect archaeological resources. Work will predominately be 

accomplished utilizing equipment already owned by the NPS.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act of 1962 as amended through 1992.

General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National 

Recreation Area, Pacific West Region, 1999.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: Stabilization and protection of significant archaeological sites and/or features

directly affected by the Carr Fire through fire-killed hazard tree removal, exclusionary fence repair, and a

combination of chipping, lop and scatter, and directional falling to disperse downed trees, reduce erosion

potential, and obscure site surfaces to decrease the possibility of looting.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored: Work to stabilize identified sites, as well as those yet

to be identified through assessment that necessitate treatment, will be physically monitored by NPS

archaeology staff. On-site monitoring conducted during treatment will ensure that work is conducted to

the standards of NPS archaeology staff. Monitoring efforts will additionally include photo documentation,

field notes, and a report that will be prepared following the completion of stabilization efforts.

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period: NPS archaeology staff will conduct periodic post-treatment monitoring of sites identified for

treatment at regular intervals. Interval schedule and overall duration will be determined by archaeology

staff, and will be site-specific.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL COST

231
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Cultural Resource Compliance -

NPS

Spec-#

NPS-14-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Sites FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protect Heritage Sites WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Fund a GS-7 Archaeologist to complete Archaeological Site Condition Assessments (NPS-11-ES), 

Assessed Historic Property Stabilizations (NPS-13-ES), and Archaeological Site Protection Patrols (NPS10-ES) and will fulfill Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance activities associated with other 

specifications developed for treatments as a result of the Carr Fire.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

Fund a GS-7 Archaeologist to complete Archaeological Site Condition Assessments (NPS-11-ES), 

Assessed Historic Property Stabilizations (NPS-13-ES), and Archaeological Site Protection Patrols (NPS10-ES) and will fulfill Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance activities associated with other 

specifications developed for treatments as a result of the Carr Fire.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Pre-contact and historic sites on lands managed by the Whiskeytown RNA within and immediately 

adjacent to the Carr Fire.

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Conduct Site Condition Assessments on known pre-contact and historic sites on NPS managed 

lands within the Carr Fire. Assess erosion and stabilization needs for each site, document postfire condition, and recommend necessary treatments to prevent further degradation to sites.

2. Monitor stabilization treatments, primarily hazard tree removal, on sites that have had condition 

assessment recommendations. 

3. Conduct site protection patrols at a variety of locations, primarily remote locations not readily 

accessible by tribal monitors, and report instances of site looting or vandalism to agency 

archaeologists who will notify Law Enforcement of the infractions.

4. Monitor treatments or conduct Section 106 compliance for treatments prescribed for other 

resources or values at risk on NPS managed lands affected by the Carr Fire.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

This position fulfills the requirements for cultural resource compliance activities under the National Historic 

Preservation Act as codified in 36CFR800. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

233
Agency archaeological staff do not have the capacity to undertake National Historic Preservation Act 

compliance activities for cultural resources impacted by the Carr Fire. A one year GS-7 archaeological 

position will insure that compliance activities are completed in a timely manner and are fully documented.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act as codified in 36 CFR 800.

General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National 

Recreation Area, Pacific West Region, 1999.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

Achieve compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act for activities associated with the

protection, stabilization, and avoidance of cultural resources as defined under the Act.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

Tasks listed in the design section above will be tracked with site assessment forms, patrol logs,

documentation of stabilization treatments which will include photo documentation, field notes, and a

report that will be prepared following the completion of stabilization efforts. Section 106 compliance

activities will use standardized procedures already in place at the agency.

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

An NPS GS-11 archaeologist will provide oversight and supervision for this position. They will assure that

documentation, as specified above, has been completed at regular intervals, that site records have been

updated and that GIS data has been updated as necessary.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL COST

234
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Abandoned Mine Mitigation for 

NPS

Spec-#

NPS-15-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection and Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protective Barriers/Fences WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

This treatment provides for permanent mitigation of five hazardous mine features that were discovered or made 

more visible by the Carr Fire. These mine openings pose significant safety threats to park visitors and staff. 

Section 106 compliance for the closures will be completed during the temporary fencing phase of this project.

TREATMENT 

General Description: A two person crew will visit the hazardous mine features identified in the BAER 

report to remove the temporary t-post fences and replace them with permanent closures. In most cases 

planning, construction, and installation will require multiple site visits.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: The five hazardous mine features are located at the following sites: El 

Dorado Mine (2), Grizzly Gulch (1), and along the western park boundary, north of Highway 299 (2). 

Specific feature locations have been given to park staff.

Design/Construction Specifications: Bat gates and culvert gates will be built to size for each mine 

opening. Closures should be designed to blend in and be as visually unobtrusive as possible.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): These mine 

features were previously unknown or largely obscured by vegetation prior to the Carr fire. Their increased 

visibility poses a significant safety issue for the visiting public.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: When designed and installed correctly, bat gates 

and culvert gates are very effective at keeping people out of mines, while allowing wildlife continued 

access to underground habitat. These styles of closures are difficult to compromise and typically require 

little or no maintenance.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): These mine 

closures are consistent with the General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for 

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area (1999).

236
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Replace Burned Trail Infrastructure

and tread - NPS

Spec-#

NPS – 16 - ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, 19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

A safety issue now exists given several bridges have burned that provide safe passage across stream courses, 

and several sections of trail have collapsed where root/tree/stump burnouts have occurred. Targets exist 

beneath two hazard trees; landscape hazard tree removal is covered in a separate specification. Completing 

this treatment directly mitigates all of these public safety hazards. 

TREATMENT 

S11: Facilities

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Replace all burned trail infrastructure directly related to protecting human safety on 

the park trails, with a primary focus on replacing burned bridges and restoring collapsed tread sections. 

Park trails staff will complete all work. Surveys of the number and location of burned bridges is complete. 

Based on the number of sections of collapsed trail tread assessed it is estimated there are two sections of 

collapsed trail tread per each mile of trail, or 140 locations in the park. Basic opening of the trails – 

removal of logs, rockfall and landslide debris – is accounted for in the specification for tree hazard 

removal and is not included here. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Burned infrastructure that needs replacement/repair to protect public safety 

was found at the following locations/trails: Mill Creek trail metal bridge replacement and tread collapse; 

Crystal Crk campground hazard tree at toilet; Whiskeytown Falls trail (move bench to avoid hazard tree), 

repair lost tread structure, replace bridge; replace plank on Tower parking bridge; Mill Creek above El 

Dorado Mine bridge replacement; replace Boulder Creek bridge; replace Brandy Creek bridge; replace 

Sheep Camp bridge; replace Martha’s Ditch bridge; replace two bridges on Princess Ditch. Collapsed 

trail tread is scattered over the 70 miles of trail throughout the park. 

Design/Construction Specifications: All bridges will be replaced per current NPS standards for trail 

bridges, using the skilled Whiskeytown trail crew workforce. The old metal surface Mill Creek bridge 

(formerly used for vehicle passage) will be replaced with a smaller trail bridge similar to the other standard 

trail bridges (Glu-Lam) in the park. The tread collapse sections will be filled in, hazard trees cut, and the 

sitting bench beneath a very large hazard tree on the Whiskeytown Falls trail will be moved out of the fall 

line of the tree. All costs were provided by NPS Facilities staff, based on replacement costs from the 

FMSS program. Bridge lengths were estimated in the field by BAER personnel.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

address all the lost trail infrastructure that directly affects visitor safety on the trails by replacing the 

bridges over streamcourses, repair the collapsed tread sections, and remove the trees or targets related 

to hazard trees in two locations. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment is only addressing the critical 

human safety-related elements of the burned trail infrastructure, and uses the local park staff who are 

familiar with NPS standards for trail maintenance. This staff have built several trail bridges in the park the 

past few years and thus are skilled and efficient in such construction.

239
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Tree Hazard Mitigation Trails -

NPS

Spec-#

NPS-17-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY18, FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

Tree hazard mitigation will reduce the threat to human life along heavily used recreation trails. Tree mortality 

averages 70% throughout the fire. Completing this treatment directly mitigates these hazards.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Hand fall all tree hazards along developed trail systems.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Tree hazards exist along all sections of the developed trail system 

administered by the NPS Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. There are approximately 69 miles of 

developed trails within the fire perimeter. Project locations include the following trails: Whiskeytown 

Falls(James Carr), Brandy Creek Falls, Brandy Creek, Oak Bottom Water Ditch, Davis Gulch, Boulder

Creek Falls, Boulder Creek, Crystal Creek Water Ditch, Ridge, Mount Shasta Mine Loop, Mill Creek, 

Shasta Divide Nature Trail, Logging Camp, Kanaka Peak, Clear Creek Canal, Tower Grave, Camden 

Water Ditch, Guardian Rock, Papoose, Prospect, Rich Gulch, Mule Mountain Pass, Clear Creek Vista, 

Hydraulic Mine, Peltier, Princess Ditch, Shasta Divide, Buck Hollow, Mill Creek Road, Monarch Mountain, 

Salt Gulch, and Shasta Bally. 

Design/Construction Specifications: Tree hazards along the developed trail system will be mitigated 

using skilled NPS tree fallers. Tree hazards will be identified as: any tree killed outright by the fire, trees 

with significant crown or bowl scorch, trees where fire has compromised cracks, cat faces, and broken 

limbs, or trees with a severe lean towards the trail.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

address the tree hazards caused by damaged or killed trees adjacent to trails.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment is only addressing the critical 

human safety-related elements of the tree hazards along the heavily used developed trails.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Whiskeytown 

National Recreation Area foundation Document, 2014.

242
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Increased trail maintenance 

requirements in subsequent years

- NPS

Spec-#

NPS – 18 - BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY20, 21, 22

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES none

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

BAR Issue 4: Repair/Replace Fire Damage to Minor Facilities

The Carr fire burned over most of the 70 miles of visitor use trails in Whiskeytown NRA. This treatment 

addresses the increased trail maintenance needs that will arise annually for the following three years, such as 

removal of increased numbers of windfall, increased landslide/debris/rockfall removal following rain, and likely 

increased brush/vegetative growth that will require additional trail brushing.

TREATMENT 

R11 Facilities

General Description: Respond to increased trail maintenance needs that will arise in subsequent years 

following the fire. Expected increased needs include an elevated number of trees/logs across the trail, 

increased landslide/rockfall debris across the trail, and increased vegetative growth that will require 

increased trail brushing. Some trail tread issues will likely arise as evidence of burned out roots and logs 

also appear.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Over all 70 miles of burned trail within Whiskeytown NRA.

Design/Construction Specifications: Trail reopening and clearing will occur each spring and after 

particular storm events or particular issues (such as log or debris fall across trails). Response to 

individual storm events will likely also be required.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The treatment will 

directly enable the park to respond to the inevitable increased trail maintenance needs and trail safety 

issues that will persist for several years following the fire by providing enough staff time to respond to 

these increased needs.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: The treatment provides support to address the 

inevitable increased trail maintenance needs in subsequent years. Adding staff to the existing small trail 

maintenance program, with this staff overseen by the existing leadership, will provide the necessary labor 

support to address the issue. Using seasonal employees is very cost effective.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): The Whiskeytown 

National Recreation Area Foundation Document (2014).

MONITORING PLAN

245
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Replace Burned Minor Facilities -

NPS

Spec-#

NPS – 19 - BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Trails FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Infrastructure WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

BAR issue 4: Repair/Replace Fire Damage to Minor Facilities

The fire burned several non-public safety related minor structures within Whiskeytown NRA that provide 

support for the visitor experience (picnic tables or resting benches along trails) or interpretive wayside panels 

that provide information about park natural and cultural resources and recreational opportunities. Wooden steps 

in the trail at three locations assist access up one trail. One park entrance sign was fire-damaged. Completing 

this treatment directly restores these basic visitor experience-related facilities for the public. 

TREATMENT 

R11 –Facilities

General Description: The fire burned several structures that are not critical life-safety facilities but 

provide important visitor experience-related support for the public, including trail resting benches, picnic 

tables, trail steps, three wayside interpretive panels, and one entrance sign. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Trail resting benches at Boulder Creek Falls, Horse Camp, and Kanaka Peak; 

picnic tables at Tower House parking lot, Boulder Creek primitive site, Whiskey Creek Group site, and 

Brandy Creek; stair steps along the Camden Ditch Trail and at; and the NPS entrance sign off Mule Town 

Road.

Design/Construction Specifications: All structures will be replace in-kind, using existing specifications 

and standards. All costs were provided by NPS Facilities staff, based on replacement costs from the 

FMSS program. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): This treatment will 

address the lost visitor-use related infrastructure that directly enhances the visitor experience while using 

the park, including picnic tables, resting benches, trail steps, and a park entrance sign. All were directly 

lost to the fire. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment addresses the very basic visitor 

experience related support facilities that were lost in the fire. It is completely reasonable to replace the 

few picnic tables, resting benches, steps, interpretive signs, and lone entrance sign that were lost, and it 

is cost effective to do it with park staff installation of these items purchased from local sources. 

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Whiskeytown 

National Recreation Area Foundation Document, 2014.

248
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Culvert Cleaning Spec-# NPS – 20 - ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Culverts Intersecting Road Prism FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2018, 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Culverts: Removal of Debris 

Hazards

WUI? Y / N

Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Whiskeytown, NRA IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

• ES 1 Human Life and Safety. NPS maintained roads within the fire perimeter receive year-round

public use. Culvert failure, debris accumulations and instances of adverse surface erosion threaten to

strand motorists in relatively remote locations.

• ES 2 Soil/Water Stabilization. Numerous areas within the fire perimeter are will experience elevated

rates of erosion. Where roads and culverts fail or surface erosion is concentrated, increased loss of

soil and impacts to downstream watercourses would be anticipated.

• ES 3 Habitat for Federal/State Listed, Proposed, or Candidate Species. Several species of

federally listed salmon and steelhead occupy drainages within the fire perimeter. Specific watersheds

include lower Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam and smaller drainages drain to the Sacramento

River below Keswick. In the Trinity River, watersheds include Grass Valley Creek and Deadwood

Creek. Upkeep and maintenance of culverts would greatly reduce the potential of sedimentation

reaching receiving waters.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

• General Description: There are 28 miles of transportation network with culverts at risk of inundation,

debris deposition, flood damage and other post-fire related impacts from elevated flows carrying

sediment and debris. There is the increased potential of culverts clogging with sediment and debris

from burned and damaged woody debris. Established rainfall thresholds will require the need to assess

the potential damage to the roads and culvert infrastructure. Due to the fires removal of ground cover

there is a higher failure risk of culvert clogging/damage during higher rainfall events. Storm patrols are

designed to identify clogged culverts and road prism damages and to take measure of removing

clogged debris.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Twenty eight miles of roads were Identified as having the potential for culverts 

clogging based on a gis data search. The BAER team utilized the debris flow map developed by the 

USGS to aid in identifying culvert locations as well as culverts/roads inventory map (see watershed 

response and culverts maps)(see appendix, 4). 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Culverts will need to have excess sediment material and debris removed from the culverts inlet

drainage system as well as this material needs to be placed outside of the bank-full channel and

floodplain where it cannot re-enter stream channels. Preferably the material will be moved to an off-site

debris staging site.

2. The culvert cleaning before the first rain events will require that all accumulated soils, gravels, rocks

and debris be removed before the October seasonal rains begin. A culverts inspections and

cleaning needs to take place before storm patrol team begin their rainfall culverts inspections.

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3. Utilization of both the USGS debris flow map illustrating the culvert points and the watershed 

response map illustrating the locations of known culverts show be used as an inspection guideline. 

4. Culverts will need to have excess sediment material and debris removed from the outlet if at all 

possible. There are many culverts identified in the Carr Fire field investigations where this may not 

be possible due to depth of culvert and length down slope.

5. The utilization of either a backhoe or excavator will be required to excavate the buildup of sediment, 

gravel and rocks. Due to the Carr Fire and past fires there is also the buildup of woody debris that 

will need to be removed.

6. During the culvert cleaning every effort should be made to NOT damage the inlet of the culvert pipe. 

Restriction of the culvert inlet will greatly reduce the volume of water designed to pass through the 

culvert pipe.

7. In some cases the retrofitting of the inlet with a debris stand pipe may be necessary to prevent 

repeated debris acumination’s and debris woody debris clogging culvert pipe (see 

diagram)(appendix 4). 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): There is the

immediate and future threat to the public along roads and their culvert conveyance infrastructure. 

Within the burned area due to the increased potential from excessive rainfall onto exposed soils there 

is the higher possibility that saturated soils could move down slope at accelerated speeds. This 

increase of saturated soils on bare soils increases the potential for debris flows, debris torrents and 

mass movement of rocks and trees. Due to the loss of vegetation normal storm frequencies and 

magnitudes can more easily initiate a debris event from riling and gully erosion from steep slopes. The 

potential of runoff to clogged culverts and spill onto the road prism is increased and could cause road 

prism damage from overwhelmed culverts. These events make for hazardous access along steep 

slopes and put the safety of the public and storm patrols at risk.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

• Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Treatments for culvert cleaning are likely to 

continue for years 2019 and 2020 based on soil burn severity and mortality of vegetation. The other 

factor will be the number of rainfall threshold exceedances each year. Pre-culvert cleaning of 

infrastructure greatly reduces the threat that a culvert would clog and damage the road systems. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

General Management Plan (1999)

Foundation Document (2014)

MONITORING PLAN

• Treatment Objectives: To keep culverts passing established flows through entire length of culvert pipe 

during storm events along the approximately 28 miles of road area on NPS lands.

• Describe how implementation will be monitored.

I. Inspections of culverts identified from USGS debris flow map and watershed response maps will 

establish the initial needs for culvert cleanings.

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II. After the storm patrol team maps and identifies the chronic culverts and culverts that are in potential

need of replacement,

III. Identified culverts that are compromised with sediment, rocks, woody debris and pose a safety to life

and property will be identified.

IV. If the blockage is determined to NOT be capable of being removed by the storm patrol team the team

will note this for future maintenance activities.

V. Clogging and cleaning should be noted on gis to add to map for future storm patrols visitations.

VI. If the clog is not capable of being dealt with by the storm patrol team a backhoe should be requested

to remove the clog or debris materials.

• Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period.

I. Rain events in the Whiskeytown, NRA, begin around October and end in March so culvert cleaning

would be expected during this five month time line.

II. Identified culvert cleaning would likely be necessary only after the established rainfall threshold

exceedance has been met. Conversations with park staff and the general public identify

Whiskeytown as an area with a rainfall microclimate so culvert inspections may be more frequent

than other geographical areas within the Carr Fire burned area.

III. Debris Flow potentials modeled by USGS may provide targeted areas for NPS staff to focus their

storm patrols sectors on.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

TOTAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE OR RENTAL COST

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES (Item @ Cost/Each X Quantity X #Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): COST / ITEM

TOTAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLY COST

TRAVEL COST (Personnel or Equipment @ Rate X Round Trips X #Fiscal Years = 

Cost/Item): COST / ITEM

TOTAL TRAVEL COST

253
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Storm Patrol & Cleaning - NPS Spec-# NPS-21-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Roads FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019, 2020, 2021

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES Central Valley Chinook salmon, 

Sacramento Winter Run Chinook 

salmon, Central Valley steelhead

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Storm patrol and cleaning will address the following issues:

• ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety. NPS-maintained roads within the fire perimeter receive yearround public use. Culvert washouts, debris accumulations and instances of adverse surface erosion 

threaten to strand motorists in relatively remote locations.

• ES Issue 2: Soil/Water Stabilization. Numerous areas within the fire perimeter will experience 

elevated rates of erosion. Where roads and culverts fail or surface erosion is concentrated, increased 

loss of soil and impacts to downstream watercourses is expected.

• ES Issue 3: Habitat for Federal/State Listed, Proposed, or Candidate Species. Federally listed 

salmon and steelhead occupy lower Clear Creek and its tributaries downstream of Whiskeytown lake. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

• General Description: 

After each storm event, storm patrol teams will clean roadside ditches, clear the road surface and 

unplug culverts. Heavy equipment may be needed to accomplish the clean-outs where excessive 

debris accumulates.

There are many NPS-maintained roads and road-stream crossings within the fire perimeter at risk of 

inundation, debris deposition, culvert plugging, flood damage and other post-fire related impacts from 

elevated flows carrying sediment and debris. After rainfall events these areas will be assessed for any 

potential damage to the roads and infrastructure such as culvert plugging and stream diversions onto 

the road surface. If the culverts are plugged or damaged then the areas could be cleaned out 

immediately to avoid further damage during the next rainfall event. Additionally, other values at risk 

(buildings, water supply facilities, diversion structures, etc.) adjacent to channels will be assessed 

during storm patrol.

 

The patrols are used to identify those road problems such as plugged culverts and washed out roads 

and to clear, clean, and/or block those roads that are or have received damage. The storm patrollers 

shall have access to equipment that can be used when a drainage culvert is plugged or soon to be 

plugged and to repair any road receiving severe surface erosion.

Storm patrol work is expected to occur for eight storms during the first winter (2019/2020), four storms 

during the second winter (2020/2021), and two storm patrols during the third winter season 

(2021/2022).

Work should be performed in the morning and early afternoon. Personnel should leave drainages when 

chance of rain is moderate or higher. Store equipment and materials in a stable location away from 

floodplains and debris hazards.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: NPS roads within the fire perimeter.

• Design/Construction Specifications: 

255
1. Immediately after receiving wetting rain the NPS will send out patrols to the roads and facilities of

high importance on NPS lands to identify road and other hazard conditions – obstructions such as

rocks, sediment, washouts and plugged culverts so the problems can be corrected before they

worsen or jeopardize motor vehicle users.

2. The road patrols shall bring in heavy equipment necessary to mechanically remove any

obstructions from the roads and culvert inlets and catch basins where necessary.

3. All excess material and debris removed from the drainage system shall be placed outside of the

bank-full channel and floodplain where it cannot re-enter stream channels. Preferably the material

will be moved off-site.

4. After each storm event, NPS staff will identify the location(s) along roads where debris material is

located and what debris material has been removed.

5. Storm patrol and clearing will occur up to 8 times the first winter, 4 times during the second winter

and 2 times during the third winter.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): There is an 

immediate and future threat to travelers along these roads and increased sedimentation to fish-bearing 

streams within the burned area due to the increased potential for rolling and falling rock from burned 

slopes and increased potential for flash floods and debris flows. With the loss of vegetation, normal 

storm frequencies and magnitudes can more easily initiate rill and gully erosion on the slopes and it is 

likely that this runoff will cover the roads or cause washouts. These events make for hazardous access 

along steep slopes and put the safety of users at risk.

The storm patrol is intended to identify and mitigate issues immediately after a rainfall event to avoid 

further damage during subsequent events. The purpose of the monitoring is to evaluate the condition 

of roads for motorized access and to identify and implement additional work needed to maintain and/or 

repair damage to road surfaces and flow conveyance structures across roads in order to provide safe 

access across NPS lands. NPS staff will survey the roads within the fire perimeter after high-intensity 

storms. Surveys will inspect road surface condition, ditch erosion, and culverts/inlet basins for capacity 

to accommodate runoff flows.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

• Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Treatment is reflective of the number of storm

events typical for the region and reflects gradual alleviation of issues as recovery occurs within the

burned area. Post event cleaning of infrastructure prevents further degradation and or failure of road

systems with future storm events.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

General Management Plan (1999)

Foundation Document (2014)

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

• Inspect NPS maintained road networks for instances of road blockages, culvert plugging, crossing

washouts and adverse surface erosion on the road tread.

• Treat road issues through excavating buried inlets, grading to remove debris, and treatments to improve 

surface drainage.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

• Storm patrol crews will log the location and type of all road-related issues pertaining to runoff and

erosion.

• The locations and types of treatments used to restore drainage, minimize erosion and restore access

will be recorded.

256
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Hazard Warning signs-roads/trails Spec-# NPS-22-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection & Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Warning Signs WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Redding IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety

The Carr fire burned road and trail signs on Park Service lands. Trailhead signs need to be replaced and 

warning signs need to be installed to warn people that they are entering a burned area. 

TREATMENT 

S11-Facilities

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

Purchase and install warning signs to inform visitors and employees about the risk from post-fire hazard 

trees, flash flood risk, blockage of trails by fallen trees, and washed out trails. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

All trailheads that are within the Carr fire burn area and Park Service administered roads that are within 

the Carr fire burn area. Signs will be placed at intersections from paved roads to Park Service maintained 

roads and trailheads to ensure public is informed of burned environment and associated hazards.

Design/Construction Specifications:

Trail Construction and Maintenance Handbook. Signs should be attached to existing posts when 

possible. Avoid mounting signs to historic or rustic trail signs. Avoid archaeological sites for sign 

placement. Consult with cultural resource staff prior to sign placement.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Warning danger to visitors and employees of burned bridges and hazard trees and the potential for flash 

floods. The signs will reach all users on the roads and trail.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

This treatment is addressing public safety while the hazards are being mitigated. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Foundation Document, 2014, specifically regarding public safety.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives:

To replace signs marking trail systems and to place warning signs for burn areas.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

The recreation supervisor will oversee the installation of the signs. Agency personnel will install the signs. 

259
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Structure Protection NPS Spec-# NPS-23-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Facility & Structure FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2018,2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Stabilize/Secure/Protect Structures WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Whiskeytown NRA IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N/A

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Two park facilities sites within Whiskeytown National Recreational Area will be impacted by post fire flood and 

debris flows from the Carr fire burn scar. These facilities are used by the public and need to be protected. . 

TREATMENT 

General Description: 

On NPS lands, provide structure protection for two facility sites that are at risk of being impaired by flood 

and debris flows. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

1. Brandy Creek campground: Park facilities (upper restroom, lower restroom, store and lift station)

2. NEED Camp: Educational facility that is permitted by Wiskeytown NRA. These structures are along 

the south bank of Paige Boulder Creek

3. See Watershed Treatment Map, Appendix IV

Design/Construction Specifications: (See attachments)

1. Brandy Creek: Upper restroom; placement of 10 K-rails and 130 sandbags; lower restroom, store and 

lift station, placement of 300 feet of sandbags (stack sandbags three high in a pyramid configuration – 

estimate 1,800 sandbags) 

2. NEED Camp: Placement of 200 feet of Hesco baskets (hesco.com jackbox units), two rows 39” high

by 39” wide and 100 feet of sandbags one foot high (stack sandbags three high in a pyramid 

configuration – estimate 600 sandbags); Remove floatable debris from hill slope channel and repair 

damaged embankment (bury stump holes) 

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

To provide protection to the Park facilities and NEED camp structures from nuisance flooding

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

It is more reasonable to provide structure protection than to replace or move the facilities. 

 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

Park Asset Management Plan (PAMP) July 2014

MONITORING PLAN

261
264

Remove Floatable Debris DitchRepair Berm
265
266
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Potable Water Source Protection Spec-# NPS-24-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Facility & Structure FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2018, 2019 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Stabilize/Secure/Protect Structures WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Whiskeytown NRA IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N/A

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Several potable water sites within Whiskeytown National Recreational Area are impacted by changed 

watershed conditions within the burned area. Potable water is used throughout the Whiskeytown National 

Recreational Area for Park facilities, which include recreation sites. 

 

TREATMENT 

General Description: 

Access to NPS potable water sites could be impaired by flood flows and hazard trees, and two sites 

require point protection from flood/debris flows.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

1. Tank 399 above residential facility 324

2. Whiskeytown well and tank

3. Dry Creek spring and tank

4. Brandy Creek well

5. See Watershed Treatment Map, Appendix IV

Design/Construction Specifications:

1. Tank 399: Storm Patrol along access road starting from gate, estimate 6 storm events 

2. Whiskeytown well and tank: Storm Patrol along access road starting from gate, estimate 6 storm 

events and the placement of one k-rail/sandbags along the up slope of the well pad

3. Dry Creek spring and tank: Storm Patrol along access road starting from gate, estimate 6 storm 

events, and the placement of a concrete barrel with cover for protection of water distribution works

from debris flows

4. Brandy Creek well: Rip-rap 25 feet of existing berm in the drainage east of the storage shed. This is 

done by reshaping berm and placing existing rock along the stream side of the berm. Starting just 

upstream of the berm, clean 300 feet of drainage channel, which parallels the maintenance yard. 

Remove floatable debris and other impediments that block normal flow in the channel. 

(see attached site drawing)

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

To provide access and protection to potable water facilities

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

Implementing these treatments is more reasonable in providing potable water to Park facilities than other 

alternative water sources, such as hauling water. 

267
270
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Engineering Assessment & 

Conceptual Design

Spec-#

NPS-25-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Roads FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Culverts WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Whiskeytown IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

An engineering assessment of the Boulder Creek Culvert on South Shore Drive is needed to develop a 

conceptual design solution to address the compromised footer on the left bank. It should be noted that the 

watershed team does not support the existing project in PMIS to patch the compromised footer.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

South Shore Dive at Boulder Creek

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Civil engineering services to evaluate alternatives and provide conceptual design recommendations for 

repair or replacement of the existing structure. The primary purpose is to reduce the threat to the 

crossing structure. Survey and design should be coordinated with appropriate agencies. Design 

requirements include:

o Safely accommodate post-fire discharges up to 150% of pre-fire flows. Peak flow design 

requirements should meet NPS & FHWA standard requirements. 

o Crossing evaluation should be conducted in accordance with the methodology described in 

Stream Simulation: An Ecological Approach to Providing Passesge for Aquatic Organisms at 

Road-Stream Crossings, USDA Forest Service, National Technology and Development 

Program, August 2008. (https://www.fs.fed.us/td/pubs/pdf/StreamSimulation/hi_res/%20FullDoc.pdf). This guidance was developed 

collaboratively by the USDA Forest Service and the Federal Highways administration. The 

engineer(s) & hydrologist(s) conducting the evaluation must have completed training in this 

methodology and demonstrate proficiency in it.

o Alternatives considered should, at minimum, include the following:

 Repair existing footer and modify channel through crossing to protect culvert footers by 

more closely mimicking natural channel conditions. This solution may or may not work 

based on the reduction in culvert capacity caused by the emplacement of natural 

channel material.

 Remove structure and replace in same location with an appropriately sized structure. 

Restore channel dimensions, gradient, and substrate through crossing.

 Remove structure and relocate road-stream crossing to a more geomorphically 

appropriate location (i.e. a straight section of channel rather than a bend).

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

The majority of the Boulder Creek watershed above South Shore Drive was burned as part of the Carr 

Fire. Post-fire watershed modeling results for Boulder Creek indicate that post-fire discharges up to 

150% of pre-fire flows may occur. The increase in runoff, and the erosive power of post-fire sediment 

laden water will likely exacerbate the existing issue of the left culvert footer being undermined and 

accelerate the eventual failure of the structure. Structure failure presents a threat to major infrastructure 

and public safety. The purpose of the specification is to develop the design for a long-term treatments 

that successfully processes post-fire watershed response impacts to the Boulder Creek Culvert and 

South Shore Drive.

271
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Post Condition Assessment Site 

Stabilizations - NPS

Spec-#

NPS-26-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Heritage Resources FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Site Stabilization WUI? Y / N No 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N/A IMPACTED T&E SPECIES None

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Hazard trees on Whiskeytown RNA within the perimeter and/or immediate vicinity of known, significant

cultural features and archaeological sites have the potential to adversely affect cultural resources when they 

ultimately fall. These trees also pose a risk to archaeological personnel conducting site assessments and 

monitoring activities. Existing exclusionary fencing damaged by the fire similarly put sites at risk of unwanted 

pedestrian access and increased looting potential. The removal of hazard trees and repair of existing 

exclusionary fence will help to mitigate further damage to significant sites managed by the NPS.

 

TREATMENT 

General Description: Indirect impacts from the Carr Fire are, or have the potential to further degrade 

important attributes of cultural features or archaeological sites on lands managed by the NPS at 

Whiskeytown RNA that fall within the fire perimeter. This specification consists of three components: (1) 

Clear fire-killed trees and fallen trees from resources; (2) Lop and scatter, chip, and/or directionally fell fire 

killed hazard trees to reduce site surface visibility, erosion, and fuel loading potential; and (3) Repair 

existing exclusionary fencing surrounding sites to discourage access. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Sites where post-fire condition assessments will be conducted by NPS archaeologists as part of the 

Archaeological Site Condition Assessment Specification. Eighty-seven (87) sites have been identified for 

site condition assessments by NPS archaeologists and based on findings from assessments conducted 

during BAER field visits all sites will require at a minimum hazard tree removal or other site stabilization 

treatments.

. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Removal of fire killed hazard trees identified as a threat to known archaeological sites or as a 

hazard to archaeology crew members conducting site assessments, and removal of trees that 

have fallen onto archaeological features within site boundaries. Tree and log removal, either 

through chipping, directional felling, or lop and scatter methods, will be completed by NPS 

Road/Trails crew personnel with on-site guidance from NPS archaeology personnel on hazard 

tree location and directional falling preference (if any). 

2. Repair/reconstruction of existing exclusionary fence line surrounding previously identified sites.

The NPS Force Account will complete fence repair with on-site guidance from NPS archaeology 

personnel. The work is designed to exclude pedestrian traffic on-site and decrease looting 

potential. All work will be completed in FY19. 

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Hazard trees pose a continued threat to archaeological resources and the personnel responsible for 

managing those resources on-site until they are successfully felled and removed. Surface features such 

as dry stacked rock foundations can be toppled by falling trees, and subsurface features such as 

housepits can be disturbed by uprooted root balls. Chipping and/or lop and scatter methods will effectively 

disperse downed fuels while also helping to stabilize surface soils and make surface artifacts less visible 

274
and susceptible to looting. Directional falling perpendicular to site slopes can also reduce erosion potential 

where appropriate. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness:

Proposed treatments will effectively protect some of the most significant archaeological resources within 

the fire perimeter on NPS managed lands. Should proposed treatments not take place, the cost of 

mitigation efforts after site damage and/or disturbance occurs will greatly exceed treatment costs. All work 

will be conducted in-house by NPS permanent and seasonal staff, reducing costs, streamlining treatment 

timelines, and increasing overall efficiency by having personnel work together in the field at the same time 

to make determinations that most effectively protect archaeological resources. Work will predominately be 

accomplished utilizing equipment (chippers, vehicles, saws, trailers) already owned by the NPS.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

National Historic Preservation Act of 1962 as amended through 1992.

General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National 

Recreation Area, Pacific West Region, 1999.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: Stabilization and protection of significant archaeological sites and/or features

directly affected by the Carr Fire through fire-killed hazard tree removal, exclusionary fence repair, and a

combination of chipping, lop and scatter, and directional falling to disperse downed trees, reduce erosion

potential, and obscure site surfaces to decrease the possibility of looting.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored: Work to stabilize identified sites, as well as those yet

to be identified through assessment that necessitate treatment, will be physically monitored by NPS

archaeology staff. On-site monitoring conducted during treatment will ensure that work is conducted to

the standards of NPS archaeology staff. Monitoring efforts will additionally include photo documentation,

field notes, and a report that will be prepared following the completion of stabilization efforts.

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time

period: NPS archaeology staff will conduct periodic post-treatment monitoring of sites identified for

treatment at regular intervals. Interval schedule and overall duration will be determined by archaeology

staff, and will be site-specific.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X 

#Fiscal Years = Cost/Item): Note: Purchases require written justification that 

demonstrates cost benefits over leasing or renting. 

COST / ITEM

275
PART F - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION, BAR

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Monitor Invasive Species PART E Spec-# NPS-27-BAR 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Monitoring FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2020, 2021, 2022

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Treatment effectiveness monitoring WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK n/a IMPACTED T&E SPECIES n/a

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries.

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE:

General Description: 

On Whiskeytown NRA lands Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) treatments of invasive species 

will be monitored to determine effectiveness of treatment type and recovery of natural vegetation. 

Treatment sites will be evaluated annually for three years to ensure that treatments are effective and to 

determine the need for follow-up control. Monitoring will help determine if invasive species are 

increasing or decreasing within the Carr Fire perimeter. This monitoring specification will aid in 

determining if ES and BAR Specifications Invasive Species, EDRR are effective.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for monitoring are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, drop 

points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, and riparian and burned areas that 

experienced high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity. There are a total of 4 acres of drop points, 15 

acres and 12 miles of dozerlines, 2 acres and 2 miles of hand lines, and 5,491 acres and 78 miles of 

roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads that were bulldozed. 

There are 8 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that will be inventoried. In 

addition, 3,855 acres of high soil burn severity/vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the fire on 

WNRA lands, 9,375 acres and 92 miles have been identified as appropriate for invasive species 

inventory and treatment on WNRA lands. Priority areas will be known invasive plant species treatment 

locations followed by areas within and adjacent to invasive weed locations that were utilized by fire 

suppression forces. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

● Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive

species/noxious weeds.

● Monitor treated invasive plant locations (manual or chemically treated) to determine presence or

absence of invasive plants and efficacy of chemical control.

● Collect data with tablets utilizing Collector or GPS units that can be interfaced with Arc GIS.

● If follow-up applications are needed as determined through monitoring, herbicide applications should

occur during the appropriate phenology as determined by the herbicide label or local knowledge.

● Monitor treatment efficacy (see Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring

designs).

● Recommended minimum monitoring attributes could include the species composition, cover, density

and size of treated area.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, noxious species can outcompete existing vegetation and lead to an 

altered plant community that serves less ecological function and has less resiliency than its pre-wildfire 

condition. The burned area, now lacking desired vegetation that can normally outcompete invasive 

species, is vulnerable to the establishment and expansion of invasive seed sources outside and 

adjacent to burned areas especially where native seed banks and soil productivity are compromised 

(see Carr Fire Vegetation Assessment 2018). 

Purpose is to determine if invasive species treatments are preventing the increase of existing weed populations 

and to determine the level of needed treatments or it follow-up treatments are necessary. 

277
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Short Term AML Safety Fencing

for NPS

Spec-#

NPS-28-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection and Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Protective Fences/Barriers WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

This treatment will provide for temporary t-post fencing and signs in Whiskeytown NRA to keep people out of 

newly discovered mine features until permanent closures can be put into place. It will also include Section 106 

compliance that will pave the way for the permanent closures. These mine openings pose significant safety 

threats to park visitors and agency staff.

TREATMENT 

General Description: A two person crew will visit the five hazardous mine features identified in the BAER 

report to install t-post fencing and mine warning signs. These temporary safety measures will remain in 

place until more permanent closures can be installed. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: The five hazardous mine features are located at the following sites: El 

Dorado Mine (2), Grizzly Gulch (1), and along the western park boundary, north of Highway 299 (2). 

Specific feature locations have been given to park staff.

Design/Construction Specifications: 

• Adit fencing will consist of two t-posts placed across the front of the portal.

• Shaft fencing will surround the entire feature.

• Each fence should have three strands of smooth wire and a mine hazard warning sign.

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): These mine 

features were previously unknown or largely obscured by vegetation prior to the Carr fire. Their increased 

visibility poses a significant safety hazard for the visiting public.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: T-post fencing is inexpensive and easy to install. 

It can be put up and taken down quickly. When combined with signage, it will help protect the park 

visitors until permanent mitigation can be put in place.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): This temporary 

treatment is consistent with the General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for 

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area (1999).

282
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Implementation Leader - NPS Spec-# NPS - 29 - ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Planning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * ES/BAER plan WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

The implementation leader will ensure the plan is implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

TREATMENT 

R1 – Project Management

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: Fund a project leader to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the CARR 

Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Plan for the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. 

This specification provides for funding for a total of 26 pay periods in FY2019 to implement the BAER 

Plan.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Much of the work will center within the Carr Fire burned area. Treatment 

areas are distributed throughout the fire and will need to be administered on a watershed basis

Design/Construction Specifications: The project leader is responsible for the oversight of the BAER 

Plan implementation. The leader will implement each treatment to achieve efficient use of funds, 

personnel, equipment, and contracts. The leader will oversee monitoring, program review, proposed plan 

revisions, supplemental funding requests and will complete annual and final accomplishment reports in 

accordance to NPS BAER Policy and Guidelines. The leader will monitor work to ensure compliance with 

all relevant Federal laws and regulations, which include but are not limited to NEPA and NHPA mitigation 

requirements and all OSHA regulations and safety standards. The leader will manage the BAER Plan 

budget and track expenditures by specification and coordinate projects to ensure events occur in their 

proper order.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The purpose is to 

provide quality control and accountability over project implementation of treatments designed to respond 

to damage directly caused by the fire. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment addresses project 

implementation and fiscal oversite of the entire plan. Providing this fiscal oversite will ensure all of the 

treatments are accomplished efficiently and cost effective.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Actions proposed 

in the DOI CARR FIRE BAER Plan have been reviewed by the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Interdisciplinary Team and comply with policy and oversight. 

285
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Implementation Leader - NPS Spec-# NPS – 30 - BAR

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Planning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY 20, 21, 22

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * ES/BAER plan WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK N IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES1: Human Life and Safety

The implementation leader will ensure the plan is implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

TREATMENT 

R1 – Project Management

:

General Description: Fund a project leader to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the CARR 

Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Plan for the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. 

This specification provides for funding for a total of 26 pay periods in FY2020, 2021, and 2022 to 

implement the BAER Plan.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Much of the work will center within the CARR Fire burned area, treatment 

areas are distributed throughout the fire and will need to be administered on a watershed basis

Design/Construction Specifications: The project leader is responsible for the oversight of the BAER 

Plan implementation. The leader will implement each treatment to achieve efficient use of funds, 

personnel, equipment, and contracts. The leader will oversee monitoring, program review, proposed plan 

revisions, supplemental funding requests and will complete annual and final accomplishment reports in 

accordance to NPS BAER Policy and Guidelines. The leader will monitor work to ensure compliance with 

all relevant Federal laws and regulations, which include but are not limited to NEPA and NHPA mitigation 

requirements and all OSHA regulations and safety standards. The leader will manage the BAER Plan 

budget and track expenditures by specification and coordinate projects to ensure events occur in their 

proper order.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The purpose is to 

provide quality control and accountability over project implementation of treatments designed to respond 

to damage directly caused by the fire.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: This treatment addresses project 

implementation and fiscal oversite of the entire plan. Providing this fiscal oversite will ensure all of the 

treatments are accomplished efficiently and cost effective.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Actions proposed 

in the DOI CARR FIRE BAER Plan have been reviewed by Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 

Interdisciplinary Team and comply with policy and regulations.

288
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME

Remove debris and hazardous 

materials from burned structures

Spec-#

NPS - 31 - ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection and Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Toxic Substance Mitigation WUI? Y / N N 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK none

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

The Carr fire has burned multiple structures on NPS lands that now pose risk to the watershed and water 

quality from the debris that remains. Cleanup of the debris is essential before fall rains begin to protect water 

quality and prevent the spread of toxins to drinking water, wildlife, and surrounding soils.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: At least 21 structures are known to have burned within Whiskeytown NRA and now 

posed a risk of soil and water contamination to park lands and waters. Removal of the debris and 

hazardous materials from these sites is necessary before fall rains set in. Material needs to be removed 

and hauled to an appropriate facility. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 29 known structures were burned, at the following locations: 1 at Brandy 

Creek, 2 at Carr Powerhouse, 4 at Crystal Creek Boys Camp, 3 at Grizzly Gulch, 11 at NEED camp, 2 at 

Oak Bottom, 1 at Trinity Mtn Road, and 5 at Whiskey Creek.

Design/Construction Specifications: Remove burned debris and hazardous materials from each 

burned structure site. Haul debris to an approved waste disposal site. Complete work before the Fall 

2018 rains set in.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): The Carr fire 

destroyed many structures that were used for a variety of purposes in the park. Destroyed structures 

have left significant rubble and debris, and hazardous materials in some locations. Removal of the debris 

will alleviate concerns of contamination to surrounding soils and downslope/downstream to water sources.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Costs are estimated for each structure burned; 

work will be completed by a contractor.

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): Whiskeytown NRA 

Foundation Document, 2014.

LABOR, MATERIALS AND OTHER COST:

PERSONNEL SERVICES: (Grade @ Cost/Hours X # Hours X # Fiscal Years = Cost/Item):

Do not include contract personnel costs here (see contractor services below). COST / ITEM

TOTAL PERSONNEL SERVICE COST

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE, LEASE AND/OR RENT (Item @ Cost/Hour X # of Hours X COST / ITEM

291
PART F - INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Invasive Species – EDRR- ES PART E Spec-# USFS-1-ES 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Invasive species FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Hand Treatment, Terrestrial Habitat 

Improvement

WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES Northern spotted owl 

* See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

TREATMENT/WORK TO BE DONE: 

General Description: 

On Shasta-Trinity National Forest lands Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) treatments of 

invasive species in native vegetation communities are proposed to mitigate this threat. The 

establishment of a weed washing station was not implemented until late in the incident, which is 

expected to increase the threat of the introduction and/or spread of invasive weed species that exist 

within and adjacent to the Carr Fire. This specification outlines the application of manual treatments to 

reduce the competitive pressure of invasive weeds, including yellow starthistle, spotted knapweed, 

dyer’s woad, St. Johnswort, tree of heaven, and brooms (French, Spanish and Scotch) on the 

establishment of native plant communities within the Carr Fire. Application of manual treatments will 

greatly improve new recruitment of native species from surrounding unburned vegetation and seed 

germination from existing seeds stored within the seed bank. A high probability for the introduction and 

spread of invasive weeds exists in priority treatment areas where soil disturbance occurred related to 

suppression-related activities including dozerlines, handlines, staging areas and safety zones. Road 

and riparian areas also serve as corridors for transporting invasive weeds to recently burned areas. 

These areas are necessary for treatment to allow the re-establishment of vegetation, which is unlikely 

to recover post-fire without intervention due to competition from invasive weed species. Inventory will 

occur in areas having high vegetation mortality as these areas have a high probability (>90%) for 

invasive species invasion. Some areas are excluded from treatment due to the native vegetation 

community’s ability to recover post-fire (e.g. montane chaparral species in low to moderate vegetation 

mortality areas are expected to resprout and regenerate from seed). Various treatment methods will be 

utilized including hand pulling. Herbicide treatments are not proposed here but if the Shasta-Trinity 

National Forest were to prepare an Integrated Vegetation Management Plan under Emergency 

Stabilization guidelines, the BLM weed crew that works under a Certified Pesticide Applicator could 

assist in treating invasive plant species using herbicides. There is support for an Interagency Weed 

Control Crew utilizing both the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and the Redding Bureau of Land 

Management. See Appendix for itemized cost sheet for USFS cost.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

Areas suitable for treatment are roads and trails used by suppression vehicles, dozerlines, staging 

areas, drop points, powerline corridors disturbed by utility companies, staging areas utilized by timber 

operations conducted during and immediately post fire, and riparian areas that experienced moderate 

to high vegetation mortality/soil burn severity. There are a total of 15 acres of drop points and safety 

zones, 12 acres and 12 miles of dozerlines, 11 acres and 9 miles of hand lines, and 6,347 acres and 95 

miles of roads used by suppression vehicles/equipment and utility companies, or roads that were 

bulldozed. There are 106 acres of riparian areas with moderate to high soil burn severity that will be 

inventoried. In addition, 1,224 acres of high vegetation mortality will be inventoried. Within the fire on 

USFS administered lands, 7,715 acres and 116 miles have been identified as appropriate for invasive 

species inventory and treatment. Emphasis will be within and adjacent to invasive weed locations. 

Design/Construction Specifications: 

293
• Inventory areas utilized and disturbed by suppression and utility company activities for invasive species.

• Hand pulling will be conducted on small invasive species populations located during inventory.

• If follow-up treatments are needed as determined through monitoring, hand pulling and mechanical

removal should occur during the appropriate phenology.

• Monitor treatment efficacy (see Elzinga et al., 1998 and Herrick et al. 2009 for example monitoring

designs).

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire):

In a disturbance situation such as wildfire, noxious species can outcompete existing vegetation and lead 

to an altered plant community that serves less ecological function and has less resiliency than its prewildfire condition. Native vegetation recovery is likely to be impacted by off-road and off-trail travel and 

invasive species introduction and establishment. Initial concerns include maintaining the ecological

health and integrity of watersheds within the fire perimeter. Sensitive plant species populations, unique

plant communities, native plant communities, native seed banks, and soil productivity have been

impacted in moderate to high Soil Burn Severity (SBS) areas of the fire. The burned area, now lacking

desired vegetation that can normally outcompete invasive species, is vulnerable to the establishment

and expansion of invasive seed sources outside and adjacent to burned areas especially where native

seed banks and soil productivity are compromised (see Carr Fire Vegetation Assessment 2018). In the

low SBS areas, it will take at least one growing season (through the summer of 2019) until native

vegetation can reestablish and compete with invasive species. In moderate to high SBS areas,

vegetation recovery is expected to take longer and will vary based on pre-fire vegetation community

condition and location within the fire perimeter. Invasive species are likely to establish at a much faster

rate in these moderate to high SBS areas, further impacting Forest Sensitive Species plants and their

associated habitat. The presence of invasive species may prevent establishment of desirable perennial

grasses, shrubs, and tree seedlings and can increase future fire hazards with the establishment of flashy 

non-native annual species that often become established post-fire.

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness:

Hand treatments (pulling, digging, etc.) can be used on small infestations. Herbicide treatment increases 

the probability of success for native species regeneration, however the Forest at this time is unable to 

utilize chemical control methods. Prompt application of this treatment is the most cost-effective 

response to the risk of further infestation by invasive plant species. Lack of treatment would put these 

areas at risk for dominance by invasive species with potential spread into adjacent plant communities 

and habitats with intact native perennial vegetation. Providing an EDRR program to minimize 

infestations on this fire will protect and maintain general wildlife habitat, designated black tailed deer 

winter range and northern spotted owl critical habitat, help stabilize soils and hydrology by allowing for 

natural regeneration, and provide for wildlife by providing reliable quality forage on an annual basis.

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): In order to insure 

watershed health, control or eradication of noxious weeds on both upland and riparian areas will be in 

cooperation with local, state, and other federal agencies, as well private groups or other interested 

parties. Executive Order 13112, Feb. 3, 1999, Invasive Species established the format to federal 

agencies to develop programs dealing with invasive species. Noxious weed inventory of the disturbed 

sites within the Carr Fire boundary will conducted and reported under the current standards. Other 

Regulations and Policies include: Noxious weed inventory and control will be reported using Natural 

Resources Information System (NRIS), 2018; Forest Service Manual 2900, Invasive Species

Management.

Treatment Effectiveness Monitoring Proposed

Invasive weed inventory of the disturbed sites within the Carr Fire boundary will conducted and reported 

under the current standards utilizing NRIS. The monitoring protocol will be at the discretion of the 

Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Invasive species treatment sites will be monitored to determine the

effectiveness of the treatment and recovery of the native plant communities. 

294
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Storm Patrol & Cleaning - USFS Spec-# USFS-2-ES 

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Roads FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2019, 2020, 2021

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE * Hazard Removal WUI? Y / N Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK

IMPACTED T&E 

SPECIES

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

Storm patrol and cleaning will address the following issues:

• ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety. USFS-maintained roads within the fire perimeter receive yearround use. Culvert washouts, debris accumulations and instances of adverse surface erosion 

threaten to strand motorists in relatively remote locations.

• ES Issue 2: Soil/Water Stabilization. Numerous areas within the fire perimeter will experience 

elevated rates of erosion. Where roads and culverts fail or surface erosion is concentrated, increased 

loss of soil and impacts to downstream watercourses is expected.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description:

• General Description: 

After each storm event, storm patrol teams will clean roadside ditches, clear the road surface and 

ensure functional culverts. Heavy equipment may be needed to accomplish the clean-outs where 

excessive debris accumulates.

There are many USFS-maintained roads and road-stream crossings within the fire perimeter at risk of 

inundation, debris deposition, culvert plugging, rock fall and other post-fire related impacts from 

elevated flows carrying sediment and debris. After rainfall events these areas will be assessed for any 

potential damage to the roads and infrastructure such as culvert plugging and stream diversions onto 

the road surface. If the culverts are plugged or damaged then the areas could be cleaned out 

immediately to avoid further damage during the next rainfall event. Additionally, other values at risk 

(buildings, water supply facilities, diversion structures, etc.) adjacent to channels will be assessed 

during storm patrol.

 

The patrols are used to identify those road problems such as plugged culverts and washed out roads 

and to clear, clean, and/or block those roads that are or have received damage. The storm patrollers 

shall have access to equipment that can be used when a drainage culvert is plugged or soon to be 

plugged and to repair any road receiving severe surface erosion.

Storm patrol work is expected to occur for eight storms during the first winter (2019/2020), four storms 

during the second winter (2020/2021), and two storm patrols during the third winter season 

(2021/2022).

Work should be performed in the morning and early afternoon. Personnel should leave drainages when 

chance of rain is moderate or higher. Store equipment and materials outside of flood-prone areas and 

debris hazards.

Location/(Suitable) Sites: USFS-maintained roads within the fire perimeter, specifically roads in the 

upper Clear Creek watershed and tributaries draining to the west side of Shasta Lake. 

• Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Immediately after receiving wetting rain the USFS will send out patrols to the roads and facilities of 

high importance on USFS lands to identify road and other hazard conditions – obstructions such as 

297
rocks, sediment, washouts and plugged culverts so the problems can be corrected before they 

worsen or jeopardize motor vehicle users. 

2. The road patrols shall bring in heavy equipment necessary to mechanically remove any 

obstructions from the roads and culvert inlets and catch basins where necessary.

3. All excess material and debris removed from the drainage system shall be placed outside of the 

bank-full channel and floodplain where it cannot re-enter stream channels. Preferably the material 

will be moved off-site.

4. After each storm event, USFS staff will identify the location(s) along roads where debris material is 

located and what debris material has been removed.

5. Storm patrol and clearing will occur up to 8 times the first winter, 4 times during the second winter 

and 2 times during the third winter.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): There is an 

immediate and future threat to travelers along these roads and increased sedimentation to fish-bearing 

streams within the burned area due to the increased potential for rolling and falling rock from burned 

slopes and increased potential for flash floods and debris flows. With the loss of vegetation, normal 

storm frequencies and magnitudes can more easily initiate rill and gully erosion on the slopes and it is 

likely that this runoff will cover the roads or cause washouts. These events make for hazardous access 

along steep slopes and put the safety of users at risk.

The storm patrol is intended to identify and mitigate issues immediately after a rainfall event to avoid 

further damage during subsequent events. The purpose of the monitoring is to evaluate the condition 

of roads for motorized access and to identify and implement additional work needed to maintain and/or 

repair damage to road surfaces and flow conveyance structures across roads in order to provide safe 

access across USFS lands. USFS engineering personnel will survey the roads within the fire perimeter 

after high-intensity storms. Survey will inspect road surface condition, ditch erosion, and culverts/inlet 

basins for capacity to accommodate runoff flows.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

• Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Treatment is reflective of the number of storm 

events typical for the region and reflects gradual alleviation of issues as recovery occurs within the 

burned area. Post event cleaning of infrastructure prevents further degradation and or failure of road 

systems with future storm events. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan): 

Shasta-Trinity National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan, 1995.

MONITORING PLAN

1) Treatment Objectives: 

• Inspect USFS maintained road networks for instances of road blockages, culvert plugging, crossing 

washouts and adverse surface erosion on the road tread.

• Treat road issues through excavating buried inlets, grading to remove debris, and treatments to 

improve surface drainage.

2) Describe how implementation will be monitored.

• Storm patrol crews will log the location and type of all road-related issues pertaining to runoff and 

erosion.

• The locations and types of treatments used to restore drainage, minimize erosion and restore access 

will be recorded.

3) Describe how effectiveness will be monitored, how it will be monitored, and within what time 

period.

298
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Culvert Cleaning Spec-# USFS – 3 - ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Culverts Intersecting Road Prism FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): 2018, 2019

NFPORS TREATMENT 

TYPE *

Culverts: Removal of Debris 

Hazards

WUI? Y / N

Y 

IMPACTED 

COMMUNITIES AT RISK Shasta-Trinity, NF IMPACTED T&E SPECIES N 

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

• ES Issue 1 Human Life and Safety. USFS maintained roads within the fire perimeter receive yearround public use. Culvert failure, debris accumulations and instances of adverse surface erosion 

threaten to strand motorists in relatively remote locations.

• ES Issue 2 Soil/Water Stabilization. Numerous areas within the fire perimeter are will experience 

elevated rates of erosion. Where roads and culverts fail or surface erosion is concentrated, increased 

loss of soil and impacts to downstream watercourses would be anticipated.

• ES Issue 3 Habitat for Federal/State Listed, Proposed, or Candidate Species. Several species of 

federally listed salmon and steelhead occupy drainages within the fire perimeter. Specific watersheds 

include lower Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Dam and smaller drainages drain to the Sacramento 

River below Keswick. In the Trinity River, watersheds include Grass Valley Creek and Deadwood 

Creek. Upkeep and maintenance of culverts would greatly reduce the potential of sedimentation 

reaching receiving waters.

TREATMENT 

Treatment/Activity Description: S14 – Other Treatments

• General Description: There are 15 miles of transportation network and associated culverts on USFS

at of inundation, debris deposition, flood damage and other post-fire related impacts from elevated 

flows carrying sediment and debris. There is the increased potential of culverts clogging with sediment 

and debris from burned and damaged woody debris. Established rainfall thresholds will require the 

need to assess the potential damage to the roads and culvert infrastructure. Due to the fires removal of 

ground cover there is a higher failure risk of culvert clogging/damage during higher rainfall events. 

Storm patrols are designed to identify clogged culverts and road prism damages and to take measure 

of removing clogged debris. 

 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: Fifteen miles of roads were identified has having the potential for culvert 

clogging based on a gis data search as well as the transportation network is fragmented with multiple 

ownerships. The BAER team utilized the debris flow map developed by the USGS to aid in identifying 

culverts locations as well as culvert/roads inventory map (see watershed response and culverts maps, 

appendix, 4).

Design/Construction Specifications: 

1. Culverts will need to have excess sediment material and debris removed from the culverts inlet drainage 

system as well as this material needs to be placed outside of the bank-full channel and floodplain where 

it cannot re-enter stream channels. Preferably the material will be moved to an off-site debris staging site.

2. The culvert cleaning before the first rain events will require that all accumulated soils, gravels, rocks and 

debris be removed before the October seasonal rains begin. A culverts inspections and cleaning needs 

to take place before storm patrol team begin their rainfall culverts inspections.

301
3. Utilization of both the USGS debris flow map illustrating the culvert points and the watershed response

map illustrating the locations of known culverts show be used as an inspection guideline.

4. Culverts will need to have excess sediment material and debris removed from the outlet if at all possible.

There are many culverts identified in the Carr Fire field investigations where this may not be possible

due to depth of culvert and length down slope.

5. The utilization of either a backhoe or excavator will be required to excavate the buildup of sediment,

gravel and rocks. Due to the Carr Fire and past fires there is also the buildup of woody debris that

will need to be removed.

6. During the culvert cleaning every effort should be made to NOT damage the inlet of the culvert pipe.

Restriction of the culvert inlet will greatly reduce the volume of water designed to pass through the

culvert pipe.

7. In some cases, the retrofitting of the inlet with a debris stand pipe may be necessary to prevent

repeated debris acumination and debris woody debris clogging culvert pipe (see diagram,

appendix,4).

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): There is the

immediate and future threat to the public along roads and their culvert conveyance infrastructure. 

Within the burned area due to the increased potential from excessive rainfall onto exposed soils there 

is the higher possibility that saturated soils could move down slope at accelerated speeds. This 

increase of saturated soils on bare soils increases the potential for debris flows, debris torrents and 

mass movement of rocks and trees. Due to the loss of vegetation normal storm frequencies and 

magnitudes can more easily initiate a debris event from riling and gully erosion from steep slopes. The 

potential of runoff to clogged culverts and spill onto the road prism is increased and could cause road 

prism damage from overwhelmed culverts. These events make for hazardous access along steep 

slopes and put the safety of the public and storm patrols at risk.

The storm patrol is intended to identify and mitigate issues immediately after an established rainfall 

threshold is exceeded to aid in preventing culvert damage during subsequent rainfall events. 

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective?

• Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: Treatments for culvert cleaning are based on

the number of rainfall threshold exceedances each year. Post-fire culvert cleaning of infrastructure

prevents further degradation to downstream confluences as well as reducing the potential of failures to

road systems.

Land Use Plan Conformance:

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, 1995.

MONITORING PLAN

• Treatment Objectives: To keep culverts passing established flows through entire length of culvert pipe

during storm events along the approximately 15 miles of road area on FS lands.

302
ESRS INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT SPECIFICATION

TREATMENT/ACTIVITY 

NAME Hazard Warning Signs- FS Spec-# USFS-4-ES

NFPORS TREATMENT 

CATEGORY* Protection & Warning FISCAL YEAR(S)(list each year): FY19

NFPORS TREATMENT TYPE 

* Warning Signs WUI? Y / N No

IMPACTED COMMUNITIES 

AT RISK Redding IMPACTED T&E SPECIES No

*See NFPORS Restoration & Rehabilitation module - Edit Treatment screen for applicable entries. 

ES/BAR ISSUE STATEMENT

ES Issue 1: Human Life and Safety

 

The Carr fire burned road and trail signs on Forest Service (FS) lands. Trailhead signs need to be replaced 

and warning signs need to be installed to warn people that they are entering a burned area. 

TREATMENT 

S11-Facilities

Treatment/Activity Description:

General Description: 

Purchase and install warning signs to inform visitors and employees about the risk from post-fire hazard 

trees, flash flood risk, blockage of trails by fallen trees, and washed out trails. 

Location/(Suitable) Sites: 

All trailheads that are within the Carr fire burn area and FS administered roads that are within the Carr fire 

burn area. 

Signs will be placed at intersections from paved roads to FS maintained roads and trailheads to ensure 

public is informed of burned environment and associated hazards. 

Design/Construction Specifications:

Trail Construction and Maintenance Handbook. Signs should be attached to existing posts when 

possible. Avoid mounting signs to historic or rustic trail signs. Avoid archaeological sites for sign 

placement. Consult with cultural resource staff prior to sign placement.

How does the treatment relate to damage or changes caused by the fire?

Purpose of Treatment Specifications (relate to damage/change caused by fire): 

Warning danger to visitors and employees of burned bridges and hazard trees and the potential for flash 

floods. The signs will reach all users on the roads and trail.

Why is the treatment/activity reasonable, within policy, and cost effective? 

Treatment Reasonableness and Cost Effectiveness: 

This treatment is addressing public safety while the hazards are being mitigated. 

Land Use Plan Conformance: 

Treatment consistent with Agency Land Management Plan (identify which plan):

April, 1995 Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, specifically regarding 

public safety. 

305
Appendix I – Delegation of Authority

308
309
310
311
312
313
314
Appendix II – Environmental Compliance

315
CARR POST-FIRE RESPONSE PLAN

Redding Field Office, Bureau of Land Management 

Environmental Compliance Considerations and Documentation 

A. Federal Environmental Compliance Responsibilities

All projects proposed in the Carr Post-Fire Response Plan, which includes recommendations for 

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) mitigation 

actions, that are prescribed, funded, or implemented on BLM lands are subject to compliance 

with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with the guidelines provided 

by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508). This 

Appendix documents the BAER Team considerations of NEPA compliance requirements for 

prescribed emergency stabilization, rehabilitation and monitoring actions described in this plan 

for BLM lands affected by the Carr Fire, BLM Redding Field Office, Redding, CA. 

This plan identifies specific emergency stabilization, rehabilitation, and monitoring actions and 

recommendations designed to mitigate damages to resources as a result of the Carr Fire and 

associated fire suppression activities. BLM must complete separate NEPA analyses and 

compliance for fire response activities not addressed in this plan. 

Agency Specific Guidance: This NEPA documentation has been developed in accordance with 

Bureau of Land Management specific guidelines. Emergency stabilization and rehabilitation 

actions proposed on Bureau of Land Management lands, involving the agencies permitting, 

funding, or implementation, must comply with regulations set forth in the Department of the 

Interior Manual Part 516 (DM 12). 

B. Related Plans and Cumulative Impacts Analysis 

Redding Resource Management Plan/Record of Decision. 1993. This RMP provides the 

overall direction for managing and allocating public land resources and uses in the Redding 

Resource Area. Direction for fire management included modified suppression techniques to 

address specific resource concerns, and recognized the need for prescribed fire and hazard fuel 

reduction. An addendum to this plan, the Standards and Guidelines for Management of 

Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species within the Range of 

the Northern Spotted Owl (1994), provides direction for management of these BLM lands for 

protection of that species, including limited use of prescribed fire and fuels management 

compatible with habitat protection for the spotted owl. 

Integrated Vegetation Management, Redding Field Office. 2016. This Environmental 

Assessment was prepared to address vegetation management over the approximately 250,000 

acres of public lands. The plan was written to address the need to control federally and state 

listed invasive species populations and take steps to reduce the effects of invasive species and 

prevent further invasions. Accepted treatment methods include manual, mechanical, and 

chemical. Herbicide use is limited to a maximum of 600 acres per year, and cannot be used in 

Trinity County. 

316
Road, Trail, and Facilities Maintenance Categorical Exclusion Documentation, NEPA 

DOC#: DOI-BLM-CA-N060-2018-0010-CX, Redding Field Office. 2018. This document 

provides necessary compliance to conduct routine road, trails, and facilities maintenance at 

developed recreation sites on BLM administered lands within the Redding Field Office 

management area. A variety of routine infrastructure and minor facility maintenance activities 

are covered through this Categorical Exclusion.

Interlakes Special Recreation Management Area Record of Decision, Redding Resource 

Area. 1998. This plan provides multi-agency coordinated management direction for roughly 

75,000 acres of public lands in the upper Clear Creek/Shasta Lake area, with a primary focus on 

improving trail and OHV recreation opportunities and reducing fire hazards. 

Swasey Drive Area Implementation Plan, Shasta County California, Redding Field Office. 

2004. This plan was developed primarily for the long-term protection of the Swasey Drive 

cultural resources, and includes direction for other resources of concern including noxious 

weeds, hazardous fuel loads, and wildlife and fisheries. 

Cumulative Impact Analysis: The emergency stabilization and rehabilitation treatments for the 

Carr Fire, as proposed in this plan, do not result in an intensity of impact (i.e., major ground 

disturbance, etc) that would cumulatively constitute a significant impact on the quality of the 

environment. The treatments are consistent with the above BLM management plans and 

associated environmental compliance documents of the BLM, and categorical exclusions 

presented below. No direct or indirect unavoidable adverse impacts to the biological or physical 

environment would result from the implementation of the Carr Fire Post-Fire Response Plan. 

Summary of Compliance Documentation Relevant to the Carr Fire Post-Fire Response 

Plan

The following table summarizes the existing NEPA or NHPA compliance in place for the 

BAER/BAR treatments proposed for the Carr Fire. Several treatments may involve ground 

disturbance and directly alter or be in close proximity to known cultural sites and thus would 

require archeological/NHPA consultation. 

Spec # Treatment or Action* NEPA Documentation Assessment Findings of 

Significance 

(NEPA;NHPA)

BLM-1 Archeological Site Protection 

Patrols - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l)

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-2 Archeological Site Condition 

Assessments - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-3 Assessed Historic Property 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

317
BLM-4 Kett Ethnographic Site 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-5 Charley Brownstein Grave 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-6 Cultural Resource 

Compliance - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-7 AML Mine Site Mitigation -

ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 516 

Chp 11: 11.9 J (8) 

Abandoned 

Mine Lands

No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-8 Tree Hazard Mitigation -

Roads - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Tree Hazard No Significant 

Impact – limited to 

4200 acres – roads 

and trails; NHPA no 

effect

BLM-9 Trail Infrastructure RepairESRedding BLM Cat Ex:

DOI-BLM-CA-N060-

2018-0010-CX

Recreational 

Trails

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-10 Tree Hazard Mitigation -

Trails - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Tree Hazard No Significant 

Impact – limited to 

4,200 acres – roads 

and trails; NHPA no 

effect

BLM-11 Out year trail increased trail 

maintenance - BAR

Redding BLM Cat Ex:

DOI-BLM-CA-N060-

2018-0010-CX

Recreational 

Trails

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-12 Minor facilities repair -

shooting range - ES

Cat Ex: Part 516 Chp. 

11; 11.9 (I)

Minor 

Facilities

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-13 Minor facilities repair -

amphitheatre - BAR

Cat Ex: Part 516 Chp. 

11; 11.9 (I)

Minor 

Facilities

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-14 Invasive species - EDRR -

ES

Redding BLM 

Integrated Veg Mgmt, 

DOI-BLM-CA-N060-

2016-0021-EA

Vegetation No Significant 

Impact – limited to 

600 acres/yr of 

herbicide; NHPA no 

effect

BLM-15 Invasive species - EDRR -

BAR

Redding BLM 

Integrated Veg Mgmt, 

DOI-BLM-CA-N060-

2016-0021-EA

Vegetation No Significant 

Impact – limited to 

600 acres/yr of 

herbicide; NHPA no 

effect

BLM-16 Storm patrol - ES Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (e); Redding 

BLM Cat Ex: DOIWatershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

318
BLM-CA-N060-2018-

0010-CX

BLM-17 Culvert Cleanout/Pre-storm -

ES

Redding BLM Cat Ex:

DOI-BLM-CA-N060-

2018-0010-CX

Watershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-18 Hazard Warning signs –

Trails/Roads -ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 516 

Chp 11: 11.9 G (4)

Recreational 

Trails

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-19 Swasey Basin Cleanout - ES Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l)

Watershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-20 Post-Condition Assessment 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (l) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-21 Monitoring Invasive Species 

- BAR

Redding BLM 

Integrated Veg Mgmt, 

DOI-BLM-CA-N060-

2016-0021-EA

Vegetation No Significant 

Impact – limited to 

600 acres/yr of 

herbicide; NHPA no 

effect

BLM-22 AML T-post fences - ES Cat. Ex: DOI Part 516 

Chp 11: 11.9 J (8) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

May require NHPA 

consultation

BLM-23 Implementation Leader - ES Cat. Ex: DOI Part 516 

46.210 (f)

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

BLM-24 Implementation Leader -

BAR

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 516 

46.210 (f)

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA no effect

*ES = Emergency Stabilization BAR = Burned Area Rehabilitation

C. DOI EXCEPTIONS TO CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS

Council on Environmental Quality Regulations at 40 CFR 1508.4 require agencies to consider 

whether fairly routine actions involve extraordinary circumstances that, per NEPA, trigger an 

agency to prepare additional assessment and consideration. If it is determined that any of the 

exceptions listed in the table below apply to a proposed action, that action may not be 

categorically excluded, and an EA or an EIS must be prepared. The list below is a Department of 

the Interior list that applies to all DOI agencies (516 DM 2, Appendix 2); agencies often have 

additional items on their own list of Departmental exceptions, appendix 2). All treatments that 

are proposed as a Categorical Exclusion for BLM Redding Field Office have been compared 

against the list of Extraordinary Circumstances listed below and were found not to trigger any 

exceptions. 

319
Yes No Extraordinary Circumstance. Would this action...

X 2.1 Have significant impacts on public health or safety?

X 2.2 Have significant impacts on such natural resources and unique geographic 

characteristics as historic or cultural resources; park, recreation or refuge 

lands; wilderness areas; wild or scenic rivers; national natural landmarks; sole 

or principal drinking water aquifers; prime farmlands; wetlands (Executive 

Order 11990); floodplains (Executive Order 11988); national monuments; 

migratory birds; and other ecologically significant or critical areas?

X 2.3 Have highly controversial environmental effects or involve unresolved 

conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources [NEPA Section 

102(2)(E)]?

X 2.4 Have highly uncertain and potentially significant environmental effects or 

involve unique or unknown environmental risks?

X 2.5 Establish a precedent for future action or represent a decision in principle 

about future actions with potentially significant environmental effects?

X 2.6 Have a direct relationship to other actions with individually insignificant but 

cumulatively significant environmental effects?

X 2.7 Have significant impacts on properties listed, or eligible for listing, on the 

National Register of Historic Places as determined by either the bureau or 

office? 

X 2.8 Have significant impacts on species listed, or proposed to be listed, on the 

List of Endangered or Threatened Species, or have significant impacts on 

designated Critical Habitat for these species?

X 2.9 Violate a Federal law, or a State, local, or tribal law or requirement imposed 

for the protection of the environment?

X 2.10 Have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on low income or minority 

populations (Executive Order 12898)?

X 2.11 Limit access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites on Federal lands by 

Indian religious practitioners or significantly adversely affect the physical 

integrity of such sacred sites (Executive Order 13007)?

X 2.12 Contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of noxious weeds or 

non-native invasive species known to occur in the area or actions that may promote 

the introduction, growth, or expansion of the range of such species (Federal Noxious 

Weed Control Act and Executive Order 13112)? 

D. Consultations 

Redding Field Office 

• Patricia Moran, Planning and Environmental Specialist, Redding Field Office 

• Laura Brodhead, Ecologist, Redding Field Office 

All BAER and BAR treatments will be presented to the Redding Field Office Interdisciplinary 

Team for discussion of the recommended compliance requirements described above prior to 

initiation of any of the actions. 

320
US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Historic Preservation Act, and tribal consultations: 

BLM staff will consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding listed species present

within the Carr Fire perimeter and proposed BAER/BAR mitigation projects. 

The California State Historic Preservation Officer has been contacted regarding the several 

treatments that may directly or indirectly affect cultural resources, as noted in the summary table 

above. BLM staff will meet with the Rancheria Tribe and have contacted other local tribes 

offering to meet with them.

CONCLUSION

I have reviewed the treatments in the Carr Fire Post-Fire Response Plan in accordance with the 

criteria above. Those actions which require additional environmental review will be analyzed 

and appropriate NEPA and/or NHPA compliance completed before they can be implemented; 

those actions with approved existing compliance would not involve any significant 

environmental effect and are approved for initiation. Redding Field Office staff will complete 

necessary coordination and consultation to insure compliance with the National Historic 

Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act and other Federal, State and local 

environment review requirements. 

Prepared by: Jack Oelfke, Carr Fire BAER Team, August 28, 2018 

Approved: 

 Field Manager, Redding Field Office Date

321
CARR POST-FIRE RESPONSE PLAN

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 

Environmental Compliance Considerations and Documentation 

A. Federal Environmental Compliance Responsibilities

All projects proposed in the Carr Post-Fire Response Plan, which includes recommendations for 

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) mitigation 

actions, that are prescribed, funded, or implemented on park lands are subject to compliance with 

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with the guidelines provided by 

the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508). This Appendix 

documents the BAER Team considerations of NEPA compliance requirements for prescribed 

emergency stabilization, rehabilitation and monitoring actions described in this plan for NPS 

lands affected by the Carr Fire, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Redding, CA. 

This plan identifies specific emergency stabilization, rehabilitation, and monitoring actions and 

recommendations designed to mitigate damages to resources as a result of the Carr Fire and 

associated fire suppression activities. The park must complete separate NEPA analyses and 

compliance for fire response activities not addressed in this plan. 

Agency Specific Guidance: This NEPA documentation has been developed in accordance with 

National Park Service specific guidelines. Emergency stabilization and rehabilitation actions 

proposed on National Park Service lands, involving the agencies permitting, funding, or 

implementation, must comply with regulations set forth in the Department of the Interior Manual 

Part 516 (DM 12). 

B. Related Plans and Cumulative Impacts Analysis 

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area General Management Plan (GMP), 1999 and 

Foundation Document, 2014. The GMP recognized the need for an expanded fire management 

program that included fuels management and the use of fire to restore a pre-European settlement 

landscape, while also continuing a wildfire pre-suppression and suppression program that 

included hazard fuel reduction. The Foundation Document recognized the challenges that 

decreased funding posed for a proactive fuels reduction program and called for an update to the 

existing Fire Management Plan and the need for a fuels inventory with existing and proposed 

fuel treatment areas.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Fire Management Plan, 2004. This plan provides 

parkwide guidance for overall management of the fire program, and included the ability of the 

park to complete the mechanical treatment of fuels up to 1075 acres/year. The Plan also has a 

significant appendix that discusses Minimal Impact Suppression Techniques and the requirement 

for a development of a Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation plan for fires larger than 100 

acres. Special post-fire resource concerns are noted. Subsequent NEPA analysis (2013) to the 

2004 Fire Management Plan enabled larger diameter trees to be removed and the use of metaltracked equipment.

322
Cumulative Impact Analysis: The emergency stabilization and rehabilitation treatments for the 

Carr Fire, as proposed in this plan, do not result in an intensity of impact (i.e., major ground 

disturbance, etc) that would cumulatively constitute a significant impact on the quality of the 

environment. The treatments are consistent with the above park management plans and 

associated environmental compliance documents of the NPS, and categorical exclusions 

presented below. No direct or indirect unavoidable adverse impacts to the biological or physical 

environment would result from the implementation of the Carr Fire Post-Fire Response Plan. 

Summary of Compliance Documentation Relevant to the Carr Fire Post-Fire Response 

Plan

The following table summarizes the existing NEPA or NHPA compliance in place for the 

BAER/BAR treatments proposed for the Carr Fire. Several treatments may involve ground 

disturbance and directly alter or be in close proximity to known cultural sites and thus would 

require archeological/NHPA consultation. 

Spec # Treatment or Action NEPA Documentation Assessment Findings of 

Significance (NEPA; 

NHPA)

NPS-1 Tree Hazard 

surveillance -ES

2013 Compliance 

Addendum, Fire Mgmt 

Plan/EIS

Tree Hazards No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-2 Tree Hazard Mitigation 

- Roads - ES

2013 Compliance 

Addendum, Fire Mgmt 

Plan/EIS

Tree Hazards No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-3 Tree Hazard 

Surveillance - BAR

2013 Compliance 

Addendum, Fire Mgmt 

Plan/EIS

Tree Hazards No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-4 Invasive Species -

EDRR - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, E.2 Vegetation No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-5 Invasive Species -

EDRR - BAR

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, E.2 Vegetation No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-6 Historic Blacksmith 

Shop Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.4 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-7 Historic El Dorado 

Mine Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.4 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-8 Historic Redwood 

Tank Dismantle and 

Storage - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, G.1 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-9 Historic Stone House 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.4 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-10 Archeological Site 

Protection Patrols - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, G.1 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

NHPA no effect

323
NPS-11 Archeological Site 

Condition Assessments 

- ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, G.1 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-12 Historic Crystal Creek 

Ditch Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.4 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-13 Previously Assessed 

Historic Property 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.4 Cultural No Significant Impact: 

Will require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-14 Cultural Resource 

Compliance - ES

Cat. Ex: DOI Part 46, 

46.210 (f) 

Cultural No Significant Impact; 

Will Require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-15 AML Mine Safety 

Mitigation - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.19 Abandoned 

Mine Lands

No Significant Impact; 

Will Require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-16 Trail Infrastructure 

Repair - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, G.1 Trails No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-17 Tree Hazard Mitigation 

- Trails - ES

2013 Compliance 

Addendum, Fire Mgmt 

Plan/EIS

Trails No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-18 Out-year increased trail 

maintenance - BAR

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, G.1 Trails No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-19 Minor Facilities repair -

BAR

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, G.1 Minor 

Facilities

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-20 Culvert cleanout/prestorm - ESCat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.9 Watershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-21 Storm Patrol - ES Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.9 Watershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-22 Hazard warning signs -

Roads-trails - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.5 Watershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-23 Structure Protection -

ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.19 Watershed No Significant Impact; 

May Require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-24 Potable Water Source 

Protection - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.19 Watershed No Significant Impact; 

May Require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-25 Engineering Evaluation 

- Boulder Crk - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.2, V Watershed No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-26 Post-condition Site 

Assessment 

Stabilization - ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.4 Cultural No Significant Impact; 

Will Require NHPA 

consultation

NPS-27 Monitoring Invasive

Species - BAR

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, E.5 Vegetation No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-28 AML T-post fences -

ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12: 3.3, C.19 Abandoned 

Mine Lands

No Significant Impact; 

Will Require NHPA 

consultation

324
ES = Emergency Stabilization

BAR = Burned Area Rehabilitation

C. DOI EXCEPTIONS TO CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS

Council on Environmental Quality Regulations at 40 CFR 1508.4 require agencies to consider 

whether fairly routine actions involve extraordinary circumstances that, per NEPA, trigger an 

agency to prepare additional assessment and consideration. If it is determined that any of the 

exceptions listed in the table below apply to a proposed action, that action may not be 

categorically excluded, and an EA or an EIS must be prepared. The list below is a Department of 

the Interior list that applies to all DOI agencies (516 DM 2, Appendix 2); agencies often have 

additional items on their own list of Departmental exceptions, appendix 2). All treatments that 

are proposed as a Categorical Exclusion for Crater Lake National Park have been compared 

against the list of Extraordinary Circumstances listed below and were found not to trigger any 

exceptions. 

Yes No Extraordinary Circumstance. Would this action...

X 2.1 Have significant impacts on public health or safety?

X 2.2 Have significant impacts on such natural resources and unique geographic 

characteristics as historic or cultural resources; park, recreation or refuge 

lands; wilderness areas; wild or scenic rivers; national natural landmarks; sole 

or principal drinking water aquifers; prime farmlands; wetlands (Executive 

Order 11990); floodplains (Executive Order 11988); national monuments; 

migratory birds; and other ecologically significant or critical areas?

X 2.3 Have highly controversial environmental effects or involve unresolved 

conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources [NEPA Section 

102(2)(E)]?

X 2.4 Have highly uncertain and potentially significant environmental effects or 

involve unique or unknown environmental risks?

X 2.5 Establish a precedent for future action or represent a decision in principle 

about future actions with potentially significant environmental effects?

X 2.6 Have a direct relationship to other actions with individually insignificant but 

cumulatively significant environmental effects?

X 2.7 Have significant impacts on properties listed, or eligible for listing, on the 

National Register of Historic Places as determined by either the bureau or 

office? 

NPS-29 Implementation Leader 

- ES

Cat. Ex: DO 12 3.2 E. No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-30 Implementation Leader 

- BAR

Cat. Ex: DO 12 3.2 E No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

NPS-31 Remove debris and 

hazardous materials 

from burned structures

Cat. Ex: DO 12 3.3 C.19 Minor 

Facilities

No Significant Impact; 

NHPA No Effect

325
X 2.8 Have significant impacts on species listed, or proposed to be listed, on the 

List of Endangered or Threatened Species, or have significant impacts on 

designated Critical Habitat for these species?

X 2.9 Violate a Federal law, or a State, local, or tribal law or requirement imposed 

for the protection of the environment?

X 2.10 Have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on low income or minority 

populations (Executive Order 12898)?

X 2.11 Limit access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites on Federal lands by 

Indian religious practitioners or significantly adversely affect the physical 

integrity of such sacred sites (Executive Order 13007)?

X 2.12 Contribute to the introduction, continued existence, or spread of noxious weeds or 

non-native invasive species known to occur in the area or actions that may promote 

the introduction, growth, or expansion of the range of such species (Federal Noxious 

Weed Control Act and Executive Order 13112)? 

D. Consultations 

National Park Service

• Jennifer Gibson, Chief of Resource Management and Interpretation, Whiskeytown NRA 

• Glendee Ane Osborne, Cultural Resource Program Manager, Whiskeytown NRA 

All BAER and BAR treatments will be presented to the Whiskeytown NRA Interdisciplinary 

Team for discussion of the recommended compliance requirements described above prior to 

initiation of any of the actions. 

US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Historic Preservation Act, and tribal consultations: 

Park staff will consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding listed species within the 

fire perimeter of the Carr Fire incident and proposed BAER/BAR mitigation projects. 

The California State Historic Preservation Officer will be contacted regarding the several 

treatments that may directly or indirectly affect cultural resources, as noted in the summary table 

above. Contacts with local tribes regarding potential treatments will be made prior to 

implementation.

CONCLUSION

I have reviewed the treatments in the Carr Fire Post-Fire Response Plan in accordance with the 

criteria above. Those actions which require additional environmental review will be analyzed 

and appropriate NEPA and/or NHPA compliance completed before they can be implemented; 

those actions with approved existing compliance would not involve any significant 

environmental effect and are approved for initiation. Whiskeytown NRA staff will complete 

necessary coordination and consultation to insure compliance with the National Historic 

Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act and other Federal, State and local 

environment review requirements. 

326
Prepared by: Jack Oelfke, Carr Fire BAER Team, August 28, 2018 

Approved: 

 Superintendent, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Date

327
Appendix III - Photos

328
Watershed Photos

Fire-related debris clogging culvert inlet and need of cleaning prior to storm events.

Erosion under concrete footer at Boulder Creek road crossing.

329
Shasta Bally in the background.

330
Multiple debris flow deposits in Boulder Creek (figure in right center of photo for scale)

331
View of site with downed tree on historic 

Cultural resources located on or below steep slopes . 

332
 

Blacksmith Shop, looking east, 8/14/2018. 

Blacksmith Shop, looking south, 8/14/2018. 

333
Blacksmith Shop back wall, looking north, 8/14/2018. 

Blacksmith Shop back (north) wall. Image shows burned cribbing and fallen sandbags, 8/14/18. 

334
El Dorado, primary mine opening, looking north, 8/14/18.

El Dorado mine entrance and building remnants, looking northwest, 8/14/18.

335
El Dorado Stamp Mill remnants and equipment. Looking south, 8/14/18. 

El Dorado Chilean Mill, looking northeast, 8/14/18. 

336
El Dorado Mine Equipment Shed remnants, looking west, 8/14/18. 

El Dorado retaining walls, looking north, 8/14/18. 

337
Crystal Creek Water Storage Tank, looking north, 8/15/18. 

Crystal Creek Storage Tank, looking south, 8/15/18. 

338
Crystal Creek Storage Tank, burned floorboards, joists, and concrete pad, 8/15/18. 

339
Stone House, Retaining wall, 8/16/18. 

340
Stone House, dislodged stones, 8/16/18. 

Crystal Creek Clean-out Shed remnants and mechanical system, looking east, 8/15/18. 

341
Crystal Creek Ditch intake and flume, looking west, 8/21/18 

342
Crystal Creek metal flume and boardwalk, looking west, 8/21/18. 

Crystal Creek overflow and sluice, looking west, 8/21/18. 

Crystal Creek Ditch culvert, looking northwest, 8/21/18. 

343
Crystal Creek aerial crossing and inverted siphon, 8/15/18 

344
Pioneer Baby Grave, looking west, 8/18/18. 

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Pioneer Baby Grave Burned Stairs, looking west, 8/18/18. 

Remains of arrastra at an old mine site.

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Artifacts exposed by fire at the Mad Ox Mine.

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Open vertical shaft along West Side Trails

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Bat gate at 

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Burned structure at Brown Bear Mine

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Hazard Tree at Water Treatment Site

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Burned Bridge between Mill Creek Trail and Tower House parking

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Burned Culvert on Mule Ridge Trail

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Collapsed Trail Tread – Whiskeytown Falls Trail

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Burned plastic culvert on Sacramento River Rail Trail

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Vegetation

Moderate vegetation mortality Middle Creek

Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum, unaffected by fire

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High vegetation mortality, some moderate

High vegetation mortality, Whiskeytown NP

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Conducting Vegetation Assessments

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Appendix IV - Maps

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August 2018

NPS BAER TEAM

 

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