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Butte County approves $3 million MOU with Fire Safe Councils for roadside vegetation management
Summary
The Board approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing up to $3,000,000 in federal earmark reimbursements to local Fire Safe Councils to clear up to 215 acres along priority evacuation routes. Directors and residents raised concerns about private property rights and preserving shade canopy.
The Butte County Board of Supervisors on April 8 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Butte County Fire Safe Council that authorizes the county to reimburse the council for project management up to a maximum of $3,000,000 to carry out countywide roadside vegetation management and brush removal.
The MOU formalizes a federal earmark-driven partnership to reduce wildfire risk along key evacuation routes. Joshua Pack, director of public works, told the board, "Butte County was awarded $3,000,000 in congressionally directed spending," and said the agreement would allow the Fire Safe Council to coordinate with landowners and contractors to carry out fuels reduction work on up to 215 acres in high-risk communities including Berry Creek, Clipper Mills, Concow, Yankee Hill, Forbestown and the Upper Ridge. Pack said the term of the related revenue agreement runs through Sept. 30, 2027.
Why it matters: the program aims to reduce ignition risk and improve evacuation corridors in communities that experienced severe wildfire impacts. County staff stressed the value of the Fire Safe Councils' community relationships and their ability to secure rights of entry from property owners in cases where county authorities may have limited access.
Board members and public speakers asked questions about scope and property impacts. One speaker cautioned that prior county matching decisions and projects had not always gone smoothly, saying the county should emphasize protecting shade canopy and avoid unnecessary clear-cutting on scenic roads. Pack said the councils will prioritize removal of ladder fuels and dead vegetation while working to preserve canopy where appropriate and will limit county work to rights-of-way when property owners decline voluntary entry.
The board moved, seconded and approved the MOU by voice vote.
The agreement designates the Butte County Fire Safe Council as prime recipient and allows the Yankee Hill Fire Safe Council to act as a subrecipient for projects in its jurisdiction. Staff said the councils have conducted outreach to identify high-priority roadways and that the county will oversee project progress. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion passed on a voice vote. The board authorized the director to sign and execute the agreement to advance the projects.
