Fire Hazard Reduction Plan 1: for Developed and Undeveloped parcels within the Community of Los Osos

The purpose of this information is to provide guidance to parcel owners within the community of Los Osos regarding compliance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), when conducting required fire hazard abatement activities.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) recognizes that hazardous fuel reduction is an important component of the fire prevention program in the community of Los Osos and is required in accordance with provisions found in the State of California Public Resources Code Section 4291. The Morro Shoulderband Snail (MSS) is a “threatened” species under the Act, is prevalent in Los Osos, and property owners should assume the species is present. Take of the MSS is prohibited under Section 9 of the Act. However, if parcel owners conduct fire hazard abatement work in accordance with this plan, the fire hazard abatement activities will be exempted from the prohibitions of take. Therefore, to be lawful, parcel owners should use the following guidelines during fire hazard reduction activities:

Plan 1A: Property Owner Guidelines for Weed Abatement Work for Parcels Under 7,500 Square Feet

• Vegetation reduction should be limited to the minimum amount required in California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE)  abatement standards.  To the extent possible, grasses and small shrubs should not be reduced to heights of less than 4 inches.  Avoid excessive trimming or clearing native vegetation such as the federally threatened Morro manzanita (please refer to the Los Osos Native Plant Guide attached to this document).
• “Weed-eaters” and other mechanized equipment should not be used to clear vegetation under the canopy of live shrubs.  The use of this type of equipment has a high potential to result in take of the MSS.  Identified hazardous fuel materials (e.g., grasses) that are growing up through or immediately adjacent to live shrubs should be pulled by hand or hand cut at the shrub canopy level.
• Those portions of dead shrubs that are in close contact with the ground may provide shelter for the MSS and should be left in place to the maximum extent possible.
• Live shrubs and ice-plant should not be removed.  Live branches of shrubs should be trimmed minimally such that the lower branches remain intact.  The lower limbs of shrubs offer favorable shelter sites for MSS.  Trampling or crushing of shrubs, ice-plant, and veldt grass should also be avoided.
• Cleared vegetation and other materials should not be stockpiled on live shrubs or ice-plant as this may result in take by crushing MSS.  This may also decrease the habitat value for MSS.
• Activities that result in the disturbance of the soil profile (e.g., disking, blading, grading) and/or fire are not considered to be environmentally acceptable methods of abatement by CAL FIRE and should not be employed.
• For vacant lots, vegetation reduction should be limited to mowing a 12-foot perimeter around the property at a minimum height of 4 inches.

Plan 1B: Property Owner Guidelines for Weed Abatement Work for Parcels Over 7,500 Square Feet

• Vegetation reduction should be limited to the minimum amount required in CAL FIRE ’s abatement standards.  To the extent possible, grasses and small shrubs should not be reduced to heights of less than 4 inches.  Avoid clearing or excessive trimming of native vegetation such as the federally threatened Morro manzanita (please refer to the Los Osos Native Plant Guide attached to this document).
• If possible, fire hazard reduction should be limited to mowing a maximum 12-foot-wide perimeter around the property with a minimum height of 4 inches and fire hazard reduction to create defensible space around structures. All other vegetation should be left intact.
•   “Weed-eaters” and other mechanized equipment should not be used to clear vegetation under the canopy of live shrubs.  The use of this type of equipment has a high potential to result in take of the MSS. 
• Identified hazardous fuel materials (e.g., grasses) that are growing up through or immediately adjacent to live shrubs should be pulled by hand or hand cut at the shrub canopy level.
• Those portions of dead shrubs that are in close contact with the ground may provide shelter for the MSS and should be left in place to the maximum extent possible.
• Live shrubs and ice-plant should not be removed.  Live branches of shrubs should be trimmed minimally such that the lower branches remain intact.  The lower limbs of shrubs offer favorable shelter sites for MSS.  Trampling or crushing of shrubs, ice-plant, and veldt grass should also be avoided.
• Cleared vegetation and other materials should not be stockpiled on live shrubs or ice-plant as this may result in take by crushing MSS.  This may also decrease the habitat value for MSS.
• Activities that result in the disturbance of the soil profile (e.g., disking, blading, grading) and/or fire are not considered to be environmentally acceptable methods of abatement by the CDF and should not be employed.