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Public works outlines plan to add 50 miles a year for roadside vegetation and prioritize 200 miles of evacuation routes
Summary
Nevada County Public Works and Road Services managers told supervisors they plan to raise annual roadside vegetation clearing capacity to about 25 road miles by crews and add 50 lane‑miles per year using contractors, focusing on 200 miles the county identified in a 2024 evacuation study for five high‑priority communities.
Nevada County’s Department of Public Works told the Board of Supervisors it will pursue a stepped‑up roadside vegetation program that pairs county crews with contract labor and grant funding to treat priority evacuation routes identified in the county’s 2024 evacuation study.
Public Works Director David Garcia and Road Services Manager John Veasey said the county historically cleared about 20 miles of roadside vegetation per year. Veasey outlined seasonal constraints and staffing that limit additional work: roads maintenance is seasonal, crews often must prioritize storm response and snow removal on Donner Summit, and the department operates roughly five road crews and several seasonal employees.
“We have pretty much two to three months of focused veg clearing, with spot opportunities in the winter that we can really focus on this type of work,” Veasey said.
What staff proposed: Garcia said the department will align crews to prioritize routes identified in the evacuation study — about 200 miles of county‑maintained roads — and set a near‑term benchmark to complete roughly 25 road miles (about 50 lane miles) per year with county crews, and to add 50 lane miles per year using contracted labor starting in 2025.
Funding and grants: Staff emphasized success with grant funding since 2021, noting roughly 200 miles of grant‑funded vegetation projects completed and additional FEMA grants in the pipeline for more miles. Garcia and Veasey said contracting the spring herbicide spraying program, equipping crews, and improving transparency and online maps were also part of the action plan. Estimated costs and staffing impacts were discussed; staff said contracting could expand capacity while internal crews continue capital and emergency work.
Community engagement and private roads: Office of Emergency Services (OES) staff told supervisors the county will issue requests for proposals to Firewise communities, HOAs and road associations for projects along private roads, funded via a US Forest Service award for critical evacuation route work. OES emphasized workshops to help smaller groups and HOAs apply for limited grants.
Supervisors’ priorities: Several supervisors expressed support for the hybrid approach (crews + contractors), staff equipment upgrades and outreach to Firewise communities. Supervisors also raised maintenance concerns: several board members requested stronger maintenance plans so initial grant‑funded work does not lapse and return to hazardous conditions. OES staff and Public Works said maintenance expectations would be incorporated into future grant proposals and community project contracts where appropriate.
Next steps: The board verbally supported advancing a plan to add contract labor in 2025, continuing grant pursuit and improving public transparency about planned roadside vegetation work. Staff said final budget and program details will be discussed during the budget subcommittee process and after grant awards are finalized.
