Martis Fire Rehabilitation Project

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this project works in coordination with Washoe County Dept. of Regional Parks & Open Space to bid and administer the on-the-ground ecosystem restoration activities in the Martis Fire area between Truckee and Reno along the Truckee River Corridor.

Project Overview
The Martis Fire Restoration Project will fund contract labor and create a minimum of eight jobs to control weeds and ladder fuels and revegetate non-federal areas burned by the Martis Fire in 2001. The Martis Fire burned more than 14,500 acres and left the region devoid of native vegetation, which resulted in reduced habitat for wildlife, increased runoff, reduced water quality, and the spread of noxious weed species. In particular, musk thistle invaded significant portions of the denuded riparian floodplain, affecting water clarity and quality, wildlife habitat, and the recreational experience along the Truckee River banks and reservoir shorelines. The burned area drains directly to the Truckee River, which provides drinking water for the communities of Reno and Sparks (population 400,000). The need for the Project was identified in the 2005 Martis/Interstate 80 Corridor Landscape Assessment Strategy.

Project Objectives
The Project will restore undeveloped and publicly accessible state and private lands adjacent to the Tahoe National Forest and within the Truckee River Corridor. It will allocate funds to create employment, while reducing fire danger and improving ecosystem functions on previously burned open space. In addition, the adaptive management and monitoring approach to be taken over the three-year effort will enhance our knowledge of local restoration methods in arid forest environments.

Project Process
Bids for the restoration construction contract will be solicited and a contract awarded. Restoration work will consist of aerial seeding and noxious weed control. Field work is expected to be completed in two to three field seasons. SBC will oversee the contract and photo documentation and review the results for conformance to project plans and specifications.

To learn more about this project, please contact Project Manager Kris Kuyper at kkuyper@sbcouncil.org or (530) 582-4800 ext. 23.