From: Stacey T. Chavez
To: Stacey T. Chavez
Subject: FW: Questions RE: Defensible Space & Vegetation Management Study Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 3:01:49 PM
From: MARTHA MC NICHOLAS < >
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 12:50 AM
To: Tamara Letourneau <[email protected]>; Justin Martin <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Scott Frame <[email protected]>
Cc: Gene Johns <[email protected]>; Kelly Jennings <[email protected]>; Stephanie Oddo <[email protected]>; Stephanie Winstead <[email protected]>; Ray Gennawey <[email protected]>
Subject: Questions RE: Defensible Space & Vegetation Management Study
Hello Tammy and staff,
I am looking forward to the discussion of the Defensible Space and Vegetation Management Study on Tuesday evening. I have several clarifying questions I would like to present to staff - more than I could address in 2 minutes - so I'd like to list them here so that maybe staff could address them as part of the presentation:
1. The term Salt Creek Corridor is used frequently in this report. Could you describe, or illustrate on a map, which areas are included in the Salt Creek Corridor? Is it considered a Regional Park? Does it extend on both sides of Niguel Road? Down to Camino Del Avion, then on into Dana Point? And to the northeast, including Chapparosa Park, and beyond to George White Elementary School?
2. What is the difference between Weed Abatement and Vegetation Management? Is Weed Abatement one type of Vegetation Management? Is Weed Abatement limited to annual grasslands and small plants? Can you give examples of Vegetation Management?
3. OCFA Guideline C-05 is referred to many times in this report in defining Fuel Modification Zones and Defensible Space, referring often to 100 feet, and the report concludes that the City is in compliance with these guidelines on City-owned land. But these guidelines are for new construction. Do they apply to existing structures? Do they apply to unmanaged, wild areas as well? I am attaching photos of Weed Abatement Area 5, behind George White Elementary that show dense shrubs at the back wall fence and definitely within 100 feet of the nearest structure.
4. Figures 5i through 5xi in Appendix D are maps of the 11 Weed Abatement areas.
Some maps specify a band width, some do not. All maps describe the “Clearing Area” in both acreage and square feet. What is meant by “Clearing”? Does that include trimming shrubs and tree limbs as well as mowing the grasslands? Thank you in advance for your help.
Martha McNicholas
Evacuation Zone 24
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