Professional Documents
Culture Documents
United States
NRCS is a non-regulatory federal agency under the U. S. Department of Agriculture whose mission Department of
Agriculture
is to “Help People Help the Land”. The agency was formed more than 80 years ago with the help
Natural Resources Conservation Service
fi r e
of landowners. All services are provided, free of charge, through a mutual agreement with the RCD
of Monterey County. Additionally, all information provided or resource data collected on private
properties by NRCS is kept confidential and only shared with the property owner or legal agent
unless NRCS has written permission, by the property owner, to release the information to others. a f t e r t h e
Post Fire Restoration
Dos and Don’ts
DO: Consult with the Natural Resources Conservation DO: Re-plant damaged landscapes with drought tolerant, fire
Service (NRCS) and the Resource Conservation District retardant native plants with re-sprouting ability. Use planting
(RCD) of Monterey County and/or a private land restoration stock and/or seed that are native to the area and is from a
consultant before starting any landscape, slope or soil locally collected source. Consult with NRCS/RCD for a list of
restoration effort on areas damaged by wild fire. plants to consider.
DO: Gather as much information as possible from Cal DO: Obtain any necessary permits before cutting down
Fire, U.S. Forest Service, local fire district officials, Fire trees, performing any major land grading activity, building
Safe Councils, NRCS, RCD, and/or local fire restoration any retaining wall, constructing a permanent sediment or
consultants regarding reducing fire hazard and making erosion control structure, or doing any work in a riparian area,
your property fire safe when planning your property wetland, stream course or other natural area.
restoration. Note: Permits and/or consultations may be needed from
the County of Monterey, California Department of Fish and
DO: Evaluate and map out locations of existing and/or Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Regional
pre-fire subsurface drainage, irrigation and utility facilities Water Quality Control Board, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers,
on your property, including under-ground pipe drains and and NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service.
outlets; roof runoff/gutter drain outlets; culverts; irrigation
systems; utilities, etc. Determine if still operable and/or DO: Monitor and maintain fire and fuel breaks that may have
degree of damage, if any. been created by fire fighters on your property. Water bars/
Note: Many underground plastic drains and irrigation lines breaks should be provided and maintained on these fire
may have melted or otherwise been destroyed in the fire or control measures so that runoff water does not concentrate
by fire-fighting equipment. and cause erosion. Consult with Cal Fire regarding
maintenance assistance of fire and fuel breaks constructed by
DO: Install sediment control measures, such as straw fire fighters on your property during the Fire.
wattles, mulching, plantings, slash, sediment traps and/
or other properly designed and located sediment control DO: Monitor and maintain all existing and planned erosion,
measures, if necessary, and as directed by NRCS, RCD sediment, and drainage control measures, including
or other resource restoration specialist, such as a Certified vegetative treatments, before during and after all future
Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). rainfall events. Correct deficiencies as soon as possible.
Note: Sediment control measures will help to prevent Note: One of the main reasons why recommended treatment
eroded and displaced soil from entering streams, roadside practices fail following installation is the lack of long term
Contact Information ditches and waterways, and help protect water quality maintenance by the landowner or responsible party.
Natural Resources Conservation Service and Resource Conservation District of Monterey County and water supplies. Consult with licensed landscape
744-A La Guardia Street, Salinas CA 93905 contractors or other licensed contractors with erosion and DO: Hire and/or consult with licensed contractors, preferably
sediment control experience for design and installation ones that are certified and/or experience in soil erosion and
Phone: 831-424-1036 assistance. sediment control, for design and installation assistance of
e-mail: Bobette.parsons@ca.usda.gov vegetative and structural measures needed to restore slopes,
DO: Coordinate and plan restoration efforts with soils, proper drainage conditions and landscape.
neighbors and/or road and neighborhood associations.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
After the Fire Natural Resources Conservation Service