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Pinelands Commission approves Ocean County forestry and fuel‑break plan after detailed debate on thinning and wildlife protections
Summary
The commission approved Ocean County’s multi‑year forestry and fire‑fuel breaks plan—covering roughly 1,200 acres of thinning, 850 acres of fuel breaks and 35 acres of restoration—after extended questioning about thinning rates, prescribed burning, impacts to Atlantic white cedar and protections for snakes and ORV enforcement.
The Pinelands Commission on Sept. 12 approved Ocean County’s proposed forestry and forest‑fire fuel‑breaks project after commissioners pressed county staff and consultants on thinning methods, wildlife protections and enforcement.
Commission staff framed the application as a mix of management activities intended to reduce wildfire risk and restore native habitat. “In general, the application proposes 1,200 acres of forestry, 850 acres of forest fire fuel grades, 35 acres of plantings and and restoration of lands, and a 133 acres of wildlife enhancements,” staff said during the presentation.
Ocean County representatives described a mix of thinning, prescribed fire and targeted restoration to promote Atlantic white cedar and reduce ladder fuels that can allow canopy fires to develop. The county’s plan includes linear fuel breaks of roughly 100–300 feet and a target reduction in tree density in treated areas from about 4,114 trees per acre to a target of 2,700 trees per acre—roughly a 30–34% reduction in some treatment zones.
Commissioners asked detailed questions about the science and trade‑offs of thinning versus prescribed burning. Commissioner Mark (first reference at the meeting) noted studies he provided that questioned the effectiveness of thinning and asked whether thinning could sometimes increase fire risk if slash and ladder fuels were not properly managed. David (county consultant) responded that the project combines thinning and prescribed fire, that some areas would be masticated or have material removed, and that other areas would be managed to mimic more natural patchy fire regimes to preserve biodiversity.
Members also asked about the project’s overlap with the Jones Road wildfire area and whether previously burned tracts were included in proposed treatments. County presenters said the plan covers work phased over a 10‑year period and that areas burned in 2025 may not be scheduled for prescribed burns until years later.
Commissioners and staff pressed the county on measures to limit off‑road vehicle (ORV) impacts in restoration patches. Ocean County staff said they use gates, barriers, natural logs and coordination with local law enforcement to discourage ORV use but acknowledged enforcement is difficult.
The county described measures to protect snake habitat: heavy equipment work is proposed between April 15 and Nov. 15, with low‑intensity, hand‑tool work allowed in winter months to avoid crushing dens. The county said its timing and equipment restrictions were designed to balance safe operations and species protection based on professional guidance.
After the presentation and a lengthy exchange, the commission took a roll‑call vote and approved the Ocean County forestry and fuel‑breaks application. Chair and staff thanked Ocean County representatives for their participation and work on the application.
What happens next: staff will finalize permit conditions and implementation details and monitor the phased work program as counties schedule individual treatments over the coming years.
