Number of pages: 136

Month: May

Year: 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) is to describe the current site conditions within the Escondido Creek Preserve and provide recommendations for vegetation management within the Preserve including: 1) invasive species management; 2) habitat restoration; and 3) fire management. While this VMP is intended to be a standalone document, the information and recommendations presented will be used by DPR to develop ASMDs as part of the RMP currently being prepared for the Preserve. In addition, the VMP provides fire response personnel with critical site information for emergency fire response within and immediately adjacent to the Preserve boundaries and identifies targeted fuel management actions that can be implemented as preventative measures. The Invasive Species Management section of this VMP lists the non-native invasive plant species observed on the Preserve, identifies and prioritizes target species for removal, and outlines standard removal methods. The Habitat Restoration section of this VMP identifies potential restoration opportunities within the Preserve and outlines standard restoration methods. The Fire Management section of this VMP outlines a framework to address wildfire risk and enables environmental documentation of strategic fuels management that may be needed. The framework includes discussion of fire prevention, suppression, and post-suppression fire control activities within and adjacent to the Preserve. The goals and objectives as well as the recommendations in this VMP are consistent with the County‟s MSCP and the County of San Diego Vegetation Management Report (County of San Diego 2009), which addresses vegetation management criteria for wildland and urban areas of unincorporated San Diego County. It is anticipated that this VMP will be revised once every five years, as needed, in conjunction with anticipated Preserve RMP updates.

Prepared for: County of San Diego, Department of Parks and Recreation;

Prepared by: Dudek;

Keywords: fire management; habitat restoration; vegetation management;