Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Proposed Demonstration Area Project 1 March 24, 2010

2 1.Welcome/Background/Update 2.Agenda Overview Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Management Plan 4.Management Actions since Demonstration Area 6.Community Feedback 7.Next Steps 8.Proposed Trail Markers Agenda

2001 Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Management Plan 3

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Mount Sutro Open Space Forest planted by Adolph Sutro in 1886 In 1976, UC Regents designated the forest as permanent open space, which was reaffirmed in subsequent UCSF plans Forest includes 61 acres owned by UC; other parts owned by city and private owners 5

1996 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) Based on community concerns, LRDP called for preparation of a plan to investigate an appropriate maintenance and restoration program for UCSF Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve In 2001, UCSF prepared Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve Management Plan with 3 years of input and review by the community 6

Community Input on 2001 Plan Community Advisory Group (sub-committee meetings) June 2000—community meeting August 2000—working session on phased management strategy October working session on phased management strategy December 2000—community meeting March 2001—planning session/feedback on draft plan June 2001—community meeting

2001 Management Plan Existing Conditions Most of forest unhealthy and in decline Coastal climate—fog drip much of the year; in fall high temperatures, low humidity and winds from the northeast increase vulnerability to wildfire Different microclimates (north and east slopes are more moist; south and west slopes are more dry) Wildfire hazard is greatest on south facing slopes and near buildings 8

2001 Management Plan Objectives: –Ensure public safety/property protection –Improve health of forest –Protect/expand native plants –Enhance wildlife habitat –Maintain scenic quality –Improve public access –Implement Management Plan Framework, not blueprint, for managing Reserve 9

2001 Management Plan Phase 1 of long-term management program Five types of actions: –Hazardous tree removal –Eucalyptus thinning –Conversion planting –Native plant restoration/enhancement –Trail system improvements Phase 1 actions in 32 various acres of Reserve Annually phased work Adaptive management strategy 10

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Management Actions Since

Management Plan Actions Taken Since 2001 Priority 1 actions complete (7 of 9): Crestmont-Christopher, and Lower Medical Center Way Hazardous Tree removal Installation of Rotary Meadow, a native plant demonstration area on the summit; funded by $100,000 grant from Rotary Club (combination of 3 Management Plan actions) Aldea Screen Planting Cleared and improved trails through the efforts of Mount Sutro Stewards 13

Management Plan Actions Taken Since 2001 Priority 2 actions complete (1 of 4): Edgewood, Surge Hazardous Tree removal Priority 3 actions complete (3 of 7): Upper Medical Center Way, East Aldea and Chancellor’s Residence Hazardous Tree removal 14

Additional Actions Taken Since 2001 Slope stabilization and native planting on hillside slide (due to water pipe break) site above Medical Center Way Tree and brush removal for construction of Regeneration Medicine Building Mount Sutro Stewards’ historical trail restoration Non-UCSF project: SF Public Utilities Commission pump house and pipeline project 15

Demonstration Project 16

Proposed Goals and Objectives SAFE HEALTHY AESTHETIC USABLE

SAFE Reduce fuel load and potential for devastating wildfire Provide emergency response access Remove hazardous trees near trails, roads and structures Improve trailside visibility Provide long-term maintenance

HEALTHY Reduce competition among trees (increase growing space, soil/ plant moisture and fertility) Remove diseased and unhealthy trees Create uneven tree ages Increase tree species diversity Remove vines from tree trunks Monitor and sustain health of forest

AESTHETIC Maintain a forested setting Maintain attractive, healthy trees Improve visibility within forest Provide views beyond forest

USABLE Maintain adequate path and trailside clearance Place logs for seating along trails and to close unauthorized trails Modify steep trail segments with switchbacks Enrich habitat and outdoor experience

Examples of Other Projects 22

Highway 1 “13 Curves” Point Reyes National Seashore Issues: Fire safe access/egress/use for highway travelers Enhance native bird habitat Contain loss of native plants Reduce damage to riparian systems AfterBefore

Highway 1 “13 Curves” continued 24 Prescriptions: Remove ground and ladder fuels Remove saplings under 10” in diameter Treat stumps with Garlon Remove subordinate trunks of multi-trunk trees Clear trunks of loose bark, debris 10’ off ground Results: Very low return of understory to date No tree failures due to thinning No transfer of herbicide to adjacent trees

Camino Del Canyon Near Muir Woods National Monument Issues: Fire safe access/egress for residents Reinforce/enhance defensible space Preserve historic tree alignment Contain loss of native plants Prevent regrowth without herbicides Before After

Camino Del Canyon continued 26 Prescriptions: Remove ground and ladder fuels Remove saplings under 10” in diameter Raise crowns to 10’+ above ground Clear trunks of loose bark, debris up to 10’ Cover stumps with black plastic, wood chips Results: More open, accessible and safe forest Removed 60% of eucalyptus stems Stump kill was fully effective on covered stumps Understory of poison oak, blackberry returned

Dominican College Issues: Fire safe emergency access/evacuation routes Fire hazard reduction for surrounding community Reduction of ignition risks Reduction of fire intensity/rate of spread Prescriptions: Remove ground and ladder fuels Thin trees for equipment maintenance Remove saplings under 8” in diameter Clear trunks of loose bark, debris to 10’ Clear debris around remaining trees No herbicides used Before

Dominican College continued Results: Nearby fire subsequent to treatment was easily suppressed at site Flat area maintained with small tractor Hillside not maintained and remains hazardous No tree failures with thinning After

Vista Tiburon Issues: Reduce fire threat to surrounding homes Remove or safety prune hazard trees Reinforce and enhance defensible space Preserve screening for higher residents Preserve privacy for residents Enhance habitat with native trees/shrubs Retain forested setting Before

Vista Tiburon Prescriptions: Remove ground and ladder fuels Remove subordinate eucalyptus reproduction Raise crowns to 10’ above grade Clear trunks of loose bark and debris to 10’ Prevent stump regrowth with herbicides Cut sprout growth and kill stumps regularly Results: Removed 44% of eucalyptus stems Stump kill was 100% - treatment unknown 40% of replacement vegetation survived After

East Bay Regional Park District Issues: Safety of campground/trail users Pleasing aesthetics-open landscape Before Prescriptions: Remove ground and ladder fuels Thin forest Use of herbicides on stumps and poison oak Use of goats in surrounding area Replant with native oaks Annual maintenance of trees

East Bay Regional Park District continued Results: Reduced potential for campfire spread-horizontally and vertically Open understory No poison oak Mixed forest with natives After

Proposed Trail Markers 33

Need intersection or trail markers for clear direction and safety. Evidence of not staying on trail.

Trail damage just before junction, cutting trail.

Need intersection/trail marker. These are not trails.

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Schedule 39