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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Amador County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Bark Beetle Infestation in Amador County

4 pages
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Findings 12 findings

F1 Page 32
Tree mortality will continue because bark beetles are here to stay.
F2 Page 32
Amador County was awarded a $5 million grant to remove trees that could potentially damage important county infrastructure and utilities.
F3 Page 32
In November 2016, the Amador Resource Conservation District (ARCD) was awarded two grants valued at $400,000 from the CAL FIRE Tree Mortality Program.
F4 Page 32
Grants to provide financial assistance to seniors and low income households are available to down trees killed by drought and bark beetles.
F5 Page 32
Other outlets for the abatement of dead trees are being investigated by organizations, such as Ampine Corporation, Buena Vista Biomass Power, and lumber mills.
F6 Page 32
Amador County Board of Supervisors is consulting with other counties to see what they are doing to solve the issue.
F7 Page 32
PG&E is working with contractors to down trees.
F8 Page 32
A list of registered foresters, tree service companies, and timber operators is available through the Amador County Tree Mortality Task Force.
F9 Page 32
Licensed timber operators from out of state are downing the infected trees and hauling them back to their place of business to process.
F10 Page 32
Caltrans has a public information line which can be utilized if a tree poses a hazard to a state highway, or personal property that is near a state highway.
F11 Page 32
There are some grants available for private property owners; grants are funded through fire protection fees collected each year.
F12 Page 32
In summary, the Amador County Board of Supervisors has been doing a thorough job in keeping the community informed and up to date as to resources and finances available for dead tree abatement. Their establishment of the Amador County Tree Mortality Task Force has been key to assisting the community with the burden of dealing with the crisis, especially on private property.

Recommendations 1