Island Lake Fire Burned Area Rehabilitation 2015-2016 - 0 views
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MiamiOH OARS on 03 Apr 15This program will support implementation of the Island Lake Fire Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) Plan. This BAR plan describes activities and treatments for lands and wildlife habitats burned during the Island Lake Fire. The fire burned wetland, riparian and upland vegetation composed of a mix of native and exotic species. The primary fire carrier was common reed (Phragmites australis), which allowed the fire to spread quickly throughout the river corridor. Dense stands of exotic saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and areas with sparse and healthy stands of native mesquite, cottonwood, and willow were also consumed. Potential restoration sites were initially evaluated based on vegetation, site conditions, soils, water table depth, and fire severity. Sites were then prioritized based on the probability for restoration success. Strategic restoration efforts will be focused in areas encompassing about 6 percent (ca 200 acres) of the overall 3,304 acre fire. The identified restoration areas will be further refined through on the ground evaluation of desirable site characteristics listed above. The primary rehabilitation concern is re establishment of native wildlife habitats including riparian cottonwood and willow forest and mesquite woodlands. These habitats are increasingly rare and very productive for a diversity of wildlife species. This rehabilitation effort will focus on facilitated recovery of native species through integrated removal and herbicide treatment of exotics, cottonwood and willow pole planting, mesquite seeding, and flood irrigation. Activities under this funding opportunity will include, but are not limited to:Preparing restoration site boat accessAssistance with restoration site assessmentsRemoval of non-native saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and common reed (Phragmites australis) through manual removal or herbicide treatmentsSite preparation activities such as raking, irrigating, and soil preparationMesquite seed collectionCottonwood and willow pole harvestingPol