The Nevada County Office of Emergency Services (OES) has officially kicked off the next phase of the Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone Project. Originally funded by CAL FIRE, the first phase of this project wrapped up in March of 2022. The current effort is funded by $1.5 million in USDA Forest Service grants which is being matched by $1.5 million in County funds. It will involve hazardous vegetation removal on 900 acres, which includes 600 acres of maintenance within the original 1,200-acre project footprint and an additional 300 acres of new treatment on private land. This work comes at no cost to landowners within the treatment area.
“The location of this project allows us to help protect properties within the immediate area but also acts as an anchor in protecting other highly populated neighborhoods and critical infrastructure,” said Emergency Services Director Craig Griesbach. “The maintenance component is a vital piece as we know that if we do not maintain these projects, within five years we are back where we started.” The Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone Extension Project protects approximately 6,000 residences in the communities of Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready and the City of Grass Valley.
“The project helps protect against wildfire like the 49er Fire that burned tens of thousands of acres. The land now provides a needed fuel break for firefighters to protect our communities and businesses, but we need to continue our maintenance to keep that protection,” added District 4 Supervisor Sue Hoek. Landowners whose parcels fall within the project area will receive introductory letters and Right-of-Entry (ROE) forms via mail to grant permission for project planning activities. Parties can look up their address to verify using the interactive map at ReadyNevadaCounty.org/Ponderosa.
In addition to the direct benefit to residences in and adjacent to the project area, this work will provide protection for critical infrastructure such as Highway 20, power, water, and various County facilities. Within one mile of the project, there are seven churches, 12 bridges, six schools, three fire stations, two government buildings and four emergency shelter sites including the county fairgrounds. Town Hall scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 Community members are invited to attend a town hall to learn more about the Ponderosa West Grass Valley Defense Zone Project:
•Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Banner Grange, 12629 McCourtney Rd., Grass Valley. The Town Hall will feature a project overview and the opportunity to meet the team of environmental consultants who will be leading the botanical, wildlife, and cultural surveys necessary for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance and the registered professional forester working on the project.
