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Commission hears detailed update on Upper Bidwell Park fire recovery and watershed response
Summary
Staff reported on trail clearing, contractor work to remove hazardous roadside trees, multi-agency watershed emergency planning to address accelerated erosion, and use of RCD and CCC crews and targeted mechanical work to reduce downstream debris risk following the Upper Bidwell Park fire.
Park and Natural Resources Manager Linda Herman updated the commission on post-fire remediation in Upper Bidwell Park, reporting that volunteers and Chico Velo helped open trail loops and that contractors will remove an initial set of roadside hazard trees with roughly 55 additional trees identified for removal. "Most of the damage severe damage areas are past B Trail," Linda said, describing the phased approach to reopening areas as contractors and crews remove hazards.
Herman outlined a multi-agency 'watershed emergency response' involving Cal Fire, DWR, Cal OES, the resource conservation district (RCD) and county partners to limit sediment and debris flows, and said CCC crews will be deployed with Prop 68 funding to do prioritized upstream work. Commissioners asked about debris at the 5-mile diversion dam and coordination for active debris removal during storms; staff emphasized upstream prevention measures (process-based restoration such as leaky weirs) and an active-response plan for high-risk breaks.
