Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve March 24, 2010 1 Agenda 1. Welcome/Background/Update 2. Agenda Overview 3. 2001 Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Management Plan 4. Management Actions since 2001 5. Demonstration Area 6. Next Steps 7. Proposed Trail Markers 2
2001 Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Management Plan 3 4
Mount Sutro Open Space • Forest planted by Adolph Sutro in 1886 • In 1976, UC Regents designated the forest as permanent open space, which was reaffirmed in subsequent UCSF plans • Forest includes 61 acres owned by UC; other parts owned by city and private owners 5 1996 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) • Based on community concerns, LRDP called for preparation of a plan to investigate an appropriate maintenance and restoration program for UCSF Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve • In 2001, UCSF prepared Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Management Plan with 3 years of input and review by the community 6
Community Input on 2001 Plan • 1998-99 Community Advisory Group (sub-committee meetings) • June 2000—community meeting • August 2000—working session on phased management strategy • October 2000--working session on phased management strategy • December 2000—community meeting • March 2001—planning session/feedback on draft plan • June 2001—community meeting 7 2001 Management Plan Existing Conditions •Most of forest unhealthy and in decline •Coastal climate—fog drip much of the year; in fall high temperatures, low humidity and winds from the northeast increase vulnerability to wildfire •Different microclimates (north and east slopes are more moist; south and west slopes are more dry) •Wildfire hazard is greatest on south facing slopes and near buildings 8
2001 Management Plan • Objectives: – Ensure public safety/property protection – Improve health of forest – Protect/expand native plants – Enhance wildlife habitat – Maintain scenic quality – Improve public access – Implement Management Plan • Framework, not blueprint, for managing Reserve 9 2001 Management Plan • Phase 1 of long-term management program • Five types of actions: – Hazardous tree removal – Eucalyptus thinning – Conversion planting – Native plant restoration/enhancement – Trail system improvements • Phase 1 actions in 32 various acres of Reserve • Annually phased work • Adaptive management strategy 10
11 Management Actions Since 2001 12
Management Plan Actions Taken Since 2001 Priority 1 actions complete (7 of 9 ) : • Crestmont-Christopher, and Lower Medical Center Way Hazardous Tree removal • Installation of Rotary Meadow, a native plant demonstration area on the summit; funded by $100,000 grant from Rotary Club (combination of 3 Management Plan actions) • Aldea Screen Planting • Cleared and improved trails through the efforts of Mount Sutro Stewards 13 Management Plan Actions Taken Since 2001 Priority 2 actions complete (1 of 4): • Edgewood, Surge Hazardous Tree removal Priority 3 actions complete (3 of 7): • Upper Medical Center Way, East Aldea and Chancellor’s Residence Hazardous Tree removal 14
Additional Actions Taken Since 2001 • Slope stabilization and native planting on hillside slide (due to water pipe break) site above Medical Center Way • Tree and brush removal for construction of Regeneration Medicine Building • Mount Sutro Stewards’ historical trail restoration • Non-UCSF project: SF Public Utilities Commission pump house and pipeline project 15 Demonstration Project 16
Proposed Goals and Objectives • SAFE • HEALTHY • AESTHETIC • USABLE 17 SAFE • Reduce fuel load and potential for devastating wildfire • Provide emergency response access • Remove hazardous trees near trails, roads and structures • Improve trailside visibility • Provide long-term maintenance 18
HEALTHY • Reduce competition among trees (increase growing space, soil/ plant moisture and fertility) • Remove diseased and unhealthy trees • Create uneven tree ages • Increase tree species diversity • Remove vines from tree trunks • Monitor and sustain health of forest 19 AESTHETIC • Maintain a forested setting • Maintain attractive, healthy trees • Improve visibility within forest • Provide views beyond forest 20
USABLE • Maintain adequate path and trailside clearance • Place logs for seating along trails and to close unauthorized trails • Modify steep trail segments with switchbacks • Enrich habitat and outdoor experience 21 Examples of Other Projects 22
Highway 1 “13 Curves” Point Reyes National Seashore Before After Issues: • Fire safe access/egress/use for highway travelers • Enhance native bird habitat • Contain loss of native plants • Reduce damage to riparian systems 23 Highway 1 “13 Curves” continued Prescriptions: • Remove ground and ladder fuels • Remove saplings under 10” in diameter • Treat stumps with Garlon • Remove subordinate trunks of multi-trunk trees • Clear trunks of loose bark, debris 10’ off ground Results: • Very low return of understory to date • No tree failures due to thinning • No transfer of herbicide to adjacent trees 24
Camino Del Canyon Near Muir Woods National Monument Issues: • Fire safe access/egress for residents • Reinforce/enhance defensible space Before • Preserve historic tree alignment • Contain loss of native plants • Prevent regrowth without herbicides After 25 Camino Del Canyon continued Prescriptions: • Remove ground and ladder fuels • Remove saplings under 10” in diameter • Raise crowns to 10’+ above ground • Clear trunks of loose bark, debris up to 10’ • Cover stumps with black plastic, wood chips Results: • More open, accessible and safe forest • Removed 60% of eucalyptus stems • Stump kill was fully effective on covered stumps • Understory of poison oak, blackberry returned 26
Dominican College Issues: • Fire safe emergency access/evacuation routes • Fire hazard reduction for surrounding community • Reduction of ignition risks • Reduction of fire intensity/rate of spread Prescriptions: • Remove ground and ladder fuels • Thin trees for equipment maintenance • Remove saplings under 8” in diameter • Clear trunks of loose bark, debris to 10’ • Clear debris around remaining trees • No herbicides used 27 Before Dominican College continued Results: • Nearby fire subsequent to treatment was easily suppressed at site • Flat area maintained with small tractor • Hillside not maintained and remains hazardous • No tree failures with thinning After 28
Vista Tiburon Issues: •Reduce fire threat to surrounding homes •Remove or safety prune hazard trees •Reinforce and enhance defensible space •Preserve screening for higher residents •Preserve privacy for residents •Enhance habitat with native trees/shrubs Before •Retain forested setting 29 Vista Tiburon Prescriptions: •Remove ground and ladder fuels •Remove subordinate eucalyptus reproduction •Raise crowns to 10’ above grade •Clear trunks of loose bark and debris to 10’ •Prevent stump regrowth with herbicides •Cut sprout growth and kill stumps regularly Results: •Removed 44% of eucalyptus stems •Stump kill was 100% - treatment unknown •40% of replacement vegetation survived After 30
East Bay Regional Park District Issues: • Safety of campground/trail users • Pleasing aesthetics-open landscape Prescriptions: • Remove ground and ladder fuels • Thin forest • Use of herbicides on stumps and poison oak • Use of goats in surrounding area • Replant with native oaks • Annual maintenance of trees Before 31 East Bay Regional Park District continued Results: • Reduced potential for campfire spread-horizontally and vertically • Open understory • No poison oak • Mixed forest with natives After After 32
33 Proposed Trail Markers 34
Proposed Trail Markers Purpose of the trail markers: • Provide access for emergency responders • Avoid trail damage • Help prevent lost hikers! 35 36
Need intersection or trail markers for clear direction and safety. Evidence of not staying on trail. 37 Trail damage just before junction, cutting trail. 38
Need intersection/trail marker. These are not trails. 39 40
41 Thank you Thank you 42
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