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Conejo Open Space OKs $22,750 for removal of 23 Mexican fan palms in defensible-space zones
Summary
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency approved a $22,750 appropriation from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund to remove 23 Mexican fan palms identified by fire inspectors as dead-frond wildfire hazards; staff said removal is exempt from CEQA and that larger, grant-funded efforts are planned.
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency on a 5-0 roll-call vote approved an appropriation of $22,750 from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund to remove 23 Mexican fan palm trees that inspectors identified as potential fire hazards within defensible-space areas.
Staff presented three findings: that the removal is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the cited sections of Title 14 and Public Resources Code section 21080.49(c); that the appropriation be made from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund for removal of the 23 palms; and that the agency's co-administrative officers or their designees be authorized to execute the removal or reimburse a partner agency to perform it. "These trees were identified by the fire department because they are within a fuel modification zone," Mr. Stark said during the presentation.
The agency said inspectors flagged the palms because they had dead fronds that can constitute a fire hazard when located within 100 feet of structures. Staff said the work will avoid bird and bat nesting seasons and does not involve removal of healthy, mature native or scenic trees. "Our ultimate goal is to remove them from all of our open space areas," Mr. Stark said, adding staff have mapped about 1,000 mature palms countywide and that many smaller palms exist under those canopies.
Board members asked how the 23 trees were selected and whether palms serve as habitat. Mr. Stark replied that the 23 were specifically pointed out by the Ventura County Fire Department as lying within a required fuel modification zone and that species such as owls, bats and orioles use palm trees; he said the agency will schedule work outside nesting seasons.
The agency also described its broader funding approach. Mr. Stark said a prior federal request for $2,000,000 to remove roughly 300 palms regionwide did not advance and staff plan to reapply and pursue state and federal sources, with potential future requests to the board for matching funds.
The motion to adopt the staff recommendations passed on a 5-0 roll-call vote. The board directed staff to proceed with contracting for the work and to ensure the removal and disposal of biomass off-site. The removal is expected to be carried out under a separate heavy-tree contract rather than the existing weed-abatement contract.
