NCRP Project Tracker | Leggett Area Forest Health Project

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Leggett Area Forest Health Project

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Proposal

Planning/Design

Implementation

Post-Implementation

Completed

Project Overview

Basics

Goals

REDUCED OR AVOIDED EMISSIONS AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

Objective

Protect and Enhance Forest Based Carbon

Project

Leggett Area Forest Health Project

Secondary Objectives

Solicitation

NCRP CAL FIRE Forest Health Pilot

Project Stage

Planning/Design

Project Abstract

The forested landscapes within the Leggett Valley Fire Protection District face wildfire risks due to excess fuel loads from decades of industrial timber management and fire exclusion. This collaborative project among multiple landowners aims to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, enhance carbon sequestration, and protect critical habitats in the South Fork Eel River Watershed. Building on the Northern Mendocino Forest Health Collaborative's efforts, it includes strategic treatments across 411 acres of the eastern Leggett Valley. Recognized on the 2024 Fire Risk Reduction Community List, this initiative is vital for safeguarding local communities and the environment

Planning/Design Start Year

2024

Implementation Start Year

2025

Completion Year

2028

Last Updated

1/6/2025

Project Attributes

General Information

Project Description Narrative (1,000 character limit)

The Leggett Valley area faces high wildfire risk due to dense timber stands and excess fuel loads from decades of industrial timber management and fire exclusion. This project aims to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, enhance carbon sequestration, protect critical habitats in the South Fork Eel River Watershed, and promote the creation of local jobs. The area's inclusion on the 2024 Fire Risk Reduction Community List underscores its priority status. The project will implement strategic treatments across 1195 acres, including thinning, piling, pile burning, and other vegetation management practices to improve forest structure and composition. These efforts will lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires, promote the growth of larger, more fire-resistant trees, and safeguard habitats for species like the Northern Spotted Owl and salmonids. Additionally, the project aims to generate training and employment opportunities, benefiting the local economy and community.

Solutions

Capacity - Data and Planning, Capacity - Workforce Development, Capacity - Year-round Local Capacity, Climate Action - Adaptation, Climate Action - Carbon Sequestration and Storage, Climate Action - Emissions Reduction, Community Health and Safety - Smoke, Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration - Land Acquisition & Protection, Fire Resilient Forests - Fuel Management

Spatial Information

Tribal Region

None

Project Size (Acres)

445 acres

Location

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Location Information

BIA Tribal Boundaries

None Selected

BIA Tribal Boundaries Notes

Project is not within or adjancent to Tribal Boundary

Counties

Mendocino

Disadvantaged Community Status

Severely Disadvantaged Community

Watersheds - HUC 12

Cedar Creek-South Fork Eel River (180101060105)

Watersheds - HUC 8

South Fork Eel (18010106)

Organizations

Project Organization Relationship Type	Organization
Funder	CAL FIRE
Project Sponsor	Mendocino County Resource Conservation District
Local and/or Political Support	Leggett Valley Fire District and local landowners

Contacts

NCRP Administrative Contact

Katherine Gledhill - North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) (kgledhill@northcoastresourcepartnership.org)

Project Contact Relationship Type	Contact
Authorized Contact	Doug Turk - Mendocino County Resource Conservation District (MCRCD)

Project Benefit Performance Measures

Expected Project Benefit Performance Measures

Project Benefit Performance Measure	Performance Measure Subcategory	Expected Value
Carbon storage	Habitat type: Forest	Not Provided
Education & Outreach - # of events		2
Fuels Reduction (area)	Treatment Type: Combined	1,195 acres
Jobs created or retained (FTE)		12

Reported Project Benefit Performance Measures

Reported Project Benefit Performance Measures are not relevant for Projects in the Planning/Design stage.

Financials

Budget

Estimated Total Cost

$1,998,805.00

Secured Funding

$1,989,355.00

Targeted Funding

$0.00

No Funding Source Identified Yet

$9,450.00

Funding Source	Secured Funding	Targeted Funding	Total
NCRP CAL FIRE Forest Health Pilot Project (CAL FIRE)	$1,989,355.00	$0.00	$1,989,355.00
Total	$1,989,355.00	$0.00	$1,989,355.00

Comment:	None provided

Reported Expenditures

No Expenditures have been reported for this Project.

Note:	None provided

Project Types

Capacity: Data, Analysis, Monitoring

This project will contribute to the Mendocino RCD's body of knowledge of the Leggett region of Mendocino County, and would include enhanced GIS analysis, detailed vegetation, topography and soil mapping, and adaptive management of forest health and fuel reduction practices. Any and all data, maps and other analytical information would be available to the general public for use on future project development and for community engagement and outreach.

Capacity: Regional and Local Planning

This project advances local and regional resilience by fostering coordinated, collaborative planning among multiple stakeholders, including MCRCD, local fire districts, and private landowners. By implementing strategic treatments across 1195 acres, it improves forest health, reduces wildfire risk, and enhances carbon sequestration. Engaging regional partners ensures high-quality planning and execution, while creating local jobs supports disadvantaged communities. This holistic approach builds capacity and strengthens the region's ability to adapt to future environmental challenges.

Capacity: Organizational Support and Funding

This project enhances local organizational capacity by supporting organizations like the MCRCD, which provides technical assistance to landowners across forestry, soils, and riverine ecosystems. Project funding will help the MCRCD further develop its expertise in forestry and watershed technical assistance, while simultaneouisly helping to build capacity within the Leggett Valley Fire District and in local vegetation management contractors. This collaborative effort strengthens community resilience and ensures long-term sustainable resource management.

Capacity: Local Workforce

The Mendocino RCD's procurement policy favors the hiring of local individuals and businesses (within 60 miles of the project area) to provide contractual services related to project delivery. When combined with other grant funded programs, this can result in longer term workforce development and capacity building.

Capacity: Community Engagement

Working in coordination with the Leggett Valley Fire District, the Mendocino RCD plans to hold a minimum of two community meetings to discuss the project (should it be funded) and provide information to other community members on how to enhance their forest's health and resilience to fire, disease, drought, and other impacts from historical logging practices, a suppressed natural fire regime, and progressing climate change. During these meetings we would also discuss other grant opportunities and cost share programs available to landowners, such NRCS EQIP, NBFIP, CFIP, etc.

Fire Resilient Forests: Forest Health

A primary goal of the project is to improve the area's forest health, reduce wildfire risk, enhance carbon sequestration, and protect critical habitats in the South Fork Eel River Watershed. This will be achieved through vegetation management, biomass reduction (pile burning and biochar), habitat restoration, and prescribed and cultural fire (future phases).

Community Health and Safety: Fire Preparedness

Another goal of the project is to reduce wildfire risk to the Leggett area community by reducing forested landscape fuel loads, establishing shaded fuel breaks, creating horizontal and vertical fuel discontinuity, and improving the safety of ingress and egress routes in the area.

Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration: Watershed Enhancement

This project enhances ecosystem conservation and restoration by improving watershed health in the South Fork Eel River Watershed. Strategic treatments across 1195 acres will reduce forest density, lower transpiration, and increase stream flows, thereby supporting aquatic habitats. By preventing severe soil erosion and maintaining cooler water temperatures through riparian cover, the project protects critical salmonid habitats. These efforts promote biodiversity, improve water quality, and strengthen the resilience of the watershed against the impacts of climate change and wildfire.

Climate Action: Mitigation and Adaptation

This project mitigates climate change impacts on the region's forests and watersheds by reducing forest density and increasing carbon sequestration across 1195 acres. Promoting larger, more resilient trees and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires enhances carbon storage and reduces emissions. Improved forest structure and riparian cover stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and maintain water quality, making the landscape more resilient to drought and extreme weather. These efforts ensure the ecosystem can adapt to future climate impacts, protecting biodiversity and supporting sustainability.