Old-growth chaparral being unnecessarily clearcut by a mechanical "masticator" in the Painted Cave area above Santa Barbara, June, 2010. This type of habitat destruction is not only damaging to the environment, but does not produce the fire risk reduction desired. In fact, the flammable weeds that will ultimately colonize the area will actually increase the level of risk. Notice the "treatment" is not near a home which is where vegetation managment is the most effective in protecting structures from ignition. Photo by Brian Trautwein, Environmental Defense Center.
Here is the result of mechanical "mastication" where huge grinders have clearcut the native vegetation, ripped apart the ancient soil crust allowing the spread of weeds, and destroyed valuable watershed. The area will eventually be characterized by erosion gullies and nonnative weeds. Painted Cave area, above Santa Barbara, 7/09.
A Problem in Santa Barbara
In response to recent wildfires, panic and ignorance have driven some to promote large scale clear cutting and removal of native shrublands. The resulting devastation leads to the unnecessary elimination of valuable habitat, damage to vital watersheds, and the spread of highly flammable, invasive weeds. One of the worse cases of such panic has been occurring in Santa Barbara County and the Los Padres National Forest.
Near the community of Painted Cave, federal dollars are funding the "mastication" of beautiful old-growth chaparral without proper consideration of the effectiveness or negative impact such clearance operations will have (see photos above). Hundreds of acres of chaparral, some miles away from any threatened community, have been removed along the ridge top above Santa Barbara (see photos below).
Please consider writing a quick email to Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf and her assistant Mary O’Gorman expressing concern over the environmental impacts of chaparral clearing: erosion, sedimentation in downstream creeks, loss of biodiversity / habitat for common and rare plant and animal species, degraded water quality in creeks, impacts to steelhead and other aquatic species downstream, increased downstream flooding, and non-native plants which are ignition sources for chaparral. Below is a portion of the email we sent.
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Dear Supervisor Wolf,
We are deeply concerned over the removal of significant amounts of native chaparral habitat in and around the Painted Cave area above Santa Barbara.
Although we strongly support appropriate vegetation management to reduce fire risk, we believe the activities being conducted in this area under the guidance of a private citizen and funded primarily by federal grants may be in violation of state environmental laws. In addition, these vegetation management activities are unnecessarily destroying valuable natural resources and may actually increase fire risk.
The mountains above Santa Barbara provide a priceless natural resource. It is critical that local and regional governments protect this resource and ensure that any associated land management actions are based on science not outdated ideas.
If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you,
The California Chaparral Institute
This satellite photo shows the remoteness of the Gibraltar Rd/East Camino Cielo "fuel treatment" project above Santa Barbara in the Los Padres National Forest. It can be seen in the center of the satellite photo. Notice this project does not function to protect any community since the nearest community is miles away. Federal fuel treatment grants and quotas are based on "acres treated," not on how necessary or effective funded projects may be.
Satellite photo close up of clear cut.
The Result. After years of abuse, clear cutting, and "fuel treatments," chaparral and other native shrublands are eliminated and replaced by flammable, invasive weeds. Photo taken in Ventura County.
