CC SR 20240206 D - PVPLC Acacia Removal Grant Update
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 02/06/2024
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to receive a status report on the City's grant program
with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) for acacia removal
throughout the City.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Receive and file a status report on the City’s grant program with PVPLC for acacia
removal throughout the City.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Vanessa Hevener, Project Manager
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. PVPLC – Draft Fuel Load Reduction Project – Grant Application (page A-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
With virtually the entire Palos Verdes Peninsula designated as a Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zone (VHFHSZ) by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CalFire), the City is required to implement fire mitigation efforts to reduce the amount of
fuel loads in City properties, primarily in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve), to
help protect property, lives, and wildlife habitats from wildfires.
Mitigating the risk of wildfires is one of the highest priorities of the City. As such, in
September 2019, the City Council approved an initial $200,000 grant to the PVPLC to
reduce fuel loads by removing invasive acacia shrubs on 38 acres within the Preserve.
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RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PVPLC has prioritized the removal of acacia shrubs due to their combustible nature
(acacia shrubs contain an estimated 90% dry plant matter as well as volatile resins) and
their prevalence throughout the Preserve and border areas. Acacia has been identified
by the Los Angeles County Fire Department as a high-hazard plant.
In November 2019, the City Council approved a second grant award in the amount of
$307,200 to continue the first acacia removal project as well as to remove other invasive
plants such as mustard and non-native grasses on an additional 47 acres of the Preserve
including Vicente Bluffs Reserve (Oceanfront Estates area), Forrestal Reserve,
Portuguese Bend Reserve and San Ramon Reserve.
In total, PVPLC removed acacia from approximately 13 acres in the Preserve, which is a
substantial accomplishment but also a more modest removal than expected. According
to PVPLC, acacia removal was proving far more challenging than originally expected due
to the extreme density of the acacia groves, the extent of native habitat intermixed with
the acacia, and the limited accessibility for crews and equipment that required extremely
labor-intensive work to cut vegetation and haul it far distances to vehicles.
Fuel load reduction remains a City priority. At its September 6, 2022 meeting under future
agenda items, then-Councilmember Cruikshank requested, and the City Council agreed,
that Staff engage with PVPLC concerning continued efforts to remove acacia within the
Preserve. In June 2023, Staff began discussions with PVPLC on additional potential grant
partnerships for continuing efforts to remove acacia in the Preserve. In July 2023, PVPLC
submitted a proposal (Attachment A) in the amount of $165,495 to remove 11.5 acres of
acacia in Oceanfront Estates within the Vicente Bluffs Reserve, Three Sisters Reserve,
Portuguese Bend (Ishibashi Farm West Trail and Burma Road) and along Forrestal Drive
in Forrestal Reserve.
During discussions with PVPLC on the proposal, Staff was made aware of a $5 million
grant awarded to PVPLC in October 2022 from State Senator Ben Allen’s office through
his discretionary budget. The grant is guaranteed to PVPLC, and the California State
Coastal Conservancy will serve as the fiscal conduit to disburse the funds under a
reimbursement grant framework. In August 2023, PVPLC submitted the grant application
to the California State Coastal Conservancy and identified various tasks included in the
grant funding:
• Covering the costs of the Glass Habitat Restoration Project (approved by the City
on June 27, 2023)
• Removing over 70 acres of invasive trees/shrubs (including all known acacia) from
the Preserve
• Removing over 235 acres of annual weeds (i.e. mustard) primarily through mowing
• Removing non-native vegetation from the new 96-acre Lower Filiorum property's
fuel modification zones
• Personnel costs to carry out the project
• A modular building and startup operation costs to rear Palos Verdes blue butterflies
at PVPLC's San Pedro nursery.
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Given the overlapping tasks of removing invasive plants, such as acacia in both PVPLC’s
$5 million grant award and potential grants from the City, the PVPLC should complete its
grant obligations to the California State Coastal Conservancy before the City Council
considers funding a grant to remove invasive plants.
Therefore, the grant application was not brought to the City Council for consideration and
this report is being provided to the Council as an informational item. Should PVPLC
determine that additional acacia and other invasive plant removal efforts are necessary
after completing its obligations under the California State Coastal Conservancy , it would
not preclude PVPLC from seeking grant funding from the City at a future date.
CONCLUSION:
The large-scale work by PVPLC to remove invasive plants including acacia, funded
through the prior City grants and a new grant administered by the California State Coastal
Conservancy, should result in long-lasting reduction of non-native shrubs and trees in the
Preserve and should achieve a very substantial reduction in fuel loads, especially the
highly combustible acacia shrubs. Staff will continue to monitor areas of regrowth and
identify additional areas for acacia and other invasive plant removal on City properties
and work with PVPLC to coordinate appropriate future grant funding.
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1
Proposal to the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Fuel Load Reduction 2023
Submitted by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (Conservancy) continues to be aware of the fire
concerns within the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the surrounding peninsula, and continues
to discuss and explore measures to reduce fire risk with City staff, agencies and the
community. Conservancy staff members also continue to work with City staff on the different
aspects to implement fuel modification work as required by County Department of Agriculture
Weights and Measures as part of landowner responsibilities for fuel modification near adjacent
homes as well as inside the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (Preserve). Additionally, the
Conservancy clears over 100 acres of weeds in restoration sites within the Preserve and helps
to maintain 30+ miles of trails annually alongside city staff. This weeding approach is very
specialized and must be accomplished while complying with the Natural Community
Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan implementation guidelines and while respecting
the natural resources on the preserve.
With this season’s unprecedented amount of rain, an influx of fire prone weeds is now visible
on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The Conservancy understands that the City and community
desires to prioritize efforts to reduce vegetation fuel load in Preserve areas, particularly the
proliferation of non-native plants, and that this vegetation exists beyond current fuel mod
zones that pose fire threats. Therefore, the Conservancy is offering technical expertise to aid
the City by augmenting staff efforts to reduce fuel load vegetation by targeting the removal of
invasive plants such as Acacia. This in turn improves habitat for local wildlife, including the
federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and the cactus wren, a state species of
concern as well as the endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly, El Segundo blue butterfly, and
Monarch butterfly.
This proposal outlines the potential areas for this continued work. The areas identified in the
Portuguese Bend Nature Preserve includes the Oceanfront Estates Reserve, Three Sisters Reserve,
Portuguese Bend (Ishibashi Farm West trail and Burma Road) and along Forrestal Drive in Forrestal
Nature Reserve. In total, ~11.5 acres are proposed for fuel load reduction in the Preserve.
This work can be completed in 5-6 weeks by simultaneously contracting with two crews for
Acacia removal and using conservancy staff for strategic mowing to optimize timing during fire
season. For these additional efforts, the Conservancy requests a one-time grant from the city
for up to $165,495 for the proposed work outlined herein. The Conservancy understands the
city’s timing considerations and would be prepared to begin the work as soon as funding is
made available.
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PALOS VERDES PEN I NSULA •
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The Conservancy has identified the priority removal of tall Acacia shrubs due to their
combustible nature and their prevalence throughout the Preserve and border areas. Previous
work has focused on areas of high concentration of this species. The locations for the proposed
Acacia removal were chosen due to prior fires occurring in those areas, proximity to power
lines and risk to the community as well as the ecological benefits of invasive plant removal. Fire
agencies agree that Acacia is a highly flammable plant and that it should be removed wherever
possible. It was included as a high-hazard plant in the L.A. County Fire Department’s recently
published “Ready! Set! Go!” pamphlet.
The Conservancy, as Habitat Managers for the Preserve, has qualified experts on staff with the
experience required to oversee the work to be performed and will assure the correct and safe
removal of the invasive plants using the best techniques at the most efficient cost. The results
of this work will be reflected in the annual report provided to the city at year-end to show
results from the work performed. In ongoing maintenance activities, the Conservancy has
created internship and volunteer opportunities for invasive plant management to keep the
Acacia from re-invading the areas and to assist in monitoring activities. As projects are
completed and conditions are assessed, restoration in these locations may be appropriate and
funding may be pursued, since this proposal does not include replanting in the Acacia removal
sites.
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Burma Road
Approximately 1 acre
In previous Fuel Load Reduction projects, Acacia along Burma was removed and continues to be
monitored for regrowth and seed germination. This site continues on this work and proposes to
remove Acacia East of Toyon trail below the power lines that run along Burma Road. This area has
native shrubs and trees and careful monitoring and crew oversight will be required to minimize
impacts to natural resources. The amount of Acacia is approximately 1 acre and will be accessed by
along Burma Road where crews can easily access and remove the shrubs.
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Ocean Front Estates
Approximately ~1.2 acres
Ocean Front Estates is located in the Vicente Bluffs Reserve within the Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve. These proposed Acacia removal locations are located throughout the various parcels in
the reserve and some are located within Fuel Modification Zones. Some of the sites are located
along roads while others are a further inside the preserve away from trails and may be harder to
access. Specialized crews and careful oversight will be required for these sites.
The Acacia in this area covers an approximate area of 1.2 acres. This site is known habitat of the
federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and El Segundo blue butterfly.
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-Ac.1.ci.t Removal Sites (-1.2 acres)
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Forrestal Drive
Approximately .3 acre
Forrestal Drive is located adjacent to Forrestal Reserve. Forrestal Drive serves as the main
access route for the adjacent soccer fields and also serves as a main artery to the Forrestal trail
heads. Along this road, various sizes are growing and are within the Preserve.
The Acacia identified will be accessed from Forrestal Drive which will allow crews to minimally
enter habitat areas off trail. Removed trees will be chipped and biomass will be taken off site. The
stumps will be treated to prohibit any regrowth and the site will need to be monitored for seed
germination and removal. This site is known habitat of the federally threatened coastal California
gnatcatcher and the cactus wren, a state species of concern and it is adjacent to the habitat of the
endangered Palos Verdes blue butterfly.
A-5
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Three Sisters Reserve
Approximately 4 acres
Three Sisters Reserve is located within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and the southern extent is
located near Palos Verdes Drive South and Barkentine Road. Along the southern extent are various
large stands of Acacia within one of the canyons and behind homes. It is recommended that crews
carefully enter the area avoiding habitat impacts using machinery along the access points on Sunshine trail.
This site is known habitat of the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher and the cactus
wren, a state species of concern and it is adjacent to the habitat of the endangered Palos Verdes blue
butterfly. Species monitoring will take place before any work is implemented.
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Ac.i.ci.i. Removal Sites (--4 acres)
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Ishibashi Farm West/Peppertree Trail
Approximately 5 acres
Ishibashi Farm West/Peppertree Trail is located within the Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve at its
southern extent. This project is a continuation of the prior Acacia removal project, and these stands
are in close proximity to the Portuguese Bend community. The site can be accessed through Ishibashi
Farm West trail and Narcissa Drive. Acacia will be cut and chipped and biomass will be left on site
and monitored for regrowth in subsequent years.
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Acilciil Removal Sites (-5 acres)
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Budget
The budget reflects a typical detailed tree and shrub removal project within the preserve with
minimal disturbance to native habitat and to the surrounding vegetation. Careful non-native tree
removals proposed in this project, increase the habitat value for the federally threatened coastal
California gnatcatcher and cactus wren, a state species of concern, as well as other
native species while providing public benefit. These costs reflect competitive bids acquired from
different arborist companies, the estimated time it would take the contractors to complete the
project using hand tools and machinery to either chip tree material or haul plant material
offsite, stump treat the cut Acacia to prevent regrowth, and oversight by Conservancy
biologists to assure that best management practices are implemented (ie. minimization and
avoidance measures such as nesting bird surveys as required by the NCCP/HCP).
These costs are based on best estimates provided by contractors for day rates to remove the
11.5 acres of Acacia targeted for removal since the exact number of labor hours required to
achieve the project are speculated due to the difficulty in accessing and removing vegetation in
these areas. If the projects are completed under budget, the Acacia removal areas will be
expanded to appropriately targeted areas which generate the most impact, with approval from
the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. If any cost savings are possible, an expanded area will create a
bigger impact to the fuel load on the peninsula and concurrently increase habitat on the
preserve.
Fuel Load Reduction Budget
Site Acres Work Days* Budget
Oceanfront Estates ~ 1.2 1.5 $6,610
Burma Road ~ 1 4 $17,620
Forrestal ~ .3 1 $4,405
Three Sisters 4 7 $30,835
Ishibashi Farm West 5 20 $89,000
Total 11.5 33.5 $165,495
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Other Project Considerations
This project is based on competitive bids and is a worthwhile investment into the long-term
benefit of the communities alongside to the open space and the wildlife. While more costly per
acre to implement new, labor-intensive work than annual fuel modification weed whacking
efforts, removing Acacia is a positive, visible impact to the landscape and a one-time project cost
to the City in these target areas. This is unlike areas of mustard which, while needed to reduce
fire threat, require annual treatment and ongoing maintenance costs. To help ensure this
investment is successful, the Conservancy is offering to provide pro-bono staff and volunteer
monitoring of areas to prevent regrowth.
Community Partnerships
As part of the Conservancy’s collaborative approach, we partner with various organizations to
complete projects and provide various benefits to the community. If the timing and logistics are
appropriate, we would work with some of our partner organizations to add to the costs savings.
We work with the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens which accept fresh Acacia greenery
for the enhancement of their animal’s physical and mental health. We will save many of the
straight long branches from the Acacia tree for delineation of trails and to provide ground snags
for lizards and insects. We also have a partnership with the local schools that offer
woodworking classes for instructional teaching. Lastly, we will use the chipped woods as a
mulch to keep weeds down into the future, and monitor for any seed germination.
The Conservancy will also engage the local colleges with applicable internships which allow
students to gain a better understanding of the natural world, resource management and gain
experience to prepare to enter the workforce. By engaging these students who span from
across the globe, we are creating a lasting experience and leaving a lasting impression of the
great natural habitat that exists on the peninsula.
Potential for Restoration and Supplemental Work
As these projects are completed, the cleared land can provide opportunity for habitat restoration
and enhancement. A species that is potentially applicable to many of the local habitat types of
Palos Verdes, is our local cactus. While no plant is fireproof, there are certain characteristics
which make some plants more resistive to fire, such as cactus. Where applicable, cactus can be
planted and maintained until establishment, if supplemental funding is available. Mature cactus
holds a mutual relationship with the cactus wren, a state species of concern, since the cacti
needles protect young nestlings from predators, providing the best habitat.
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