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<br />Problem E: Secondary Hazards
<br />
<br />Issue E.l: Hydrological/Geotechnical Hazards
<br />Background: WildfIres produce hydrological and geoLechnical hazards that require
<br />immediate mitigation as well as loog,tenn rehabilitation to reduce their serious effects.
<br />Shon,Lerm effects include damage or removal of vegeLation and/or soil and alteratioo of
<br />surface hydrology. The result is erosion, flooding and debris/mud flows. Erosioo of
<br />watershed slopes or slTeam channels can lead to damming, degradation of water quality
<br />and aquatic habita~ loss of wildlife habiLat and additional damage to private propeny and
<br />public infrastructures. Long,term effects include soil degradatioo, slow vegetation
<br />regeneration. decreased slope stability, rapid waLer and sediment discharges and adverse
<br />changes in ground water hydrology.
<br />
<br />These impacts are not limited to burned areas only. They can also affect adjacent
<br />downslope and downs ITeam lands. Recent examples are the mud avalanches across
<br />Interstate,?O wesL of Glenwood Springs in 1994 and 1995 afLer the South Canyon Fire.
<br />
<br />Action Element: Responsible surface management agencies develop rehabilitation
<br />plans which address shon, and long,tenn geotechnical and hydrological risks. Plans
<br />should include the following items:
<br />1. Identificatioo and mapping of areas thaL have geoleChnical or hydrological risks
<br />of High or greater. Suggest methods for post,fIre revegetation, soil loss
<br />prevention and hydrologic stabilizatioo for the areas.
<br />2. Identification of team(s) to review the reclamatioo plans and recommend
<br />changes, and to implement shan, and long,term measures. ShorL,tenn
<br />reclamation activities musL begin during fIre suppression actions to take
<br />advantage of on,siLe fIre persOllllel and equipment The long,term activities
<br />should be implemented within three months of the fIre, depending upon season.
<br />
<br />3. Execute interagency agreements among appropriate responsible agencies LO
<br />handle reclamatioo actions when needed.
<br />
<br />4. Listing of cost,share programs and agencies available to assiSL public and
<br />private landowners with land rehabilitation afLer a wildfIre.
<br />
<br />Agencies: DepartmenLof Namral Resources, Natural Resource Conservation Service *f*
<br />federal, state, and local surface management agencies, Office of Emergency Managemen~
<br />Colorado State Soil Conservation Board, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Colorado Water
<br />Conserv ation Board, Department of Transponation when highways are threatened.
<br />
<br />Estimated Costs: Variable; site and incident dependent
<br />
<br />Funding Sources: Federal, state and local public funds.
<br />
<br />Schedule: Ongoing. Agreements in place 1996. Plans in place by 1995 for exlTeme
<br />sensitive areas.
<br />
<br />Table 1
<br />
<br />Lead Responsibilities for Mitigation Work
<br />
<br />This table lists lead responsibilities by entity for wildfIre hazard miLigation Issues in
<br />Colorado. More than one entity may have a lead role for the same Issue, SpecifIc agencies
<br />and details about the Issue numbers listed are found earlier in this chapter.
<br />
<br />Responsible Entity Issue Number
<br />....._~!..i I......~I~t?;&tl~i.!llijqi&t~~;tli:qj~il! .,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.'.,.,..:'"".,.,.,:,.,.,.'
<br />State agencies A'I, A,2, A,5, A,?, A,S, B,I, B,2, B,3, B-4, B'?, C,I,
<br />C,S, C-6, C,?, C,9, C,IO, C,II, C,14, C,IS, C,16, C,17,
<br />C,IS, C,19, C,20, D'I, D,3, D-4, D,S, D,6, E,I
<br />
<br />,.._*~tM~I.........RI]lill~l~rl~I!lfr~I~'III~II!lfll~~11;11
<br />
<br />A,9, B-4, B,S, B,6, C,3, C,4, C,S, C-6, C,S, C,IO, C,II,
<br />C,20, D,S
<br />~~gl~i~li!!f;9t~gt~i!ll!~I!llj~;ji~!~~~jlg19!~9j~1
<br />C,ll, C,I2
<br />
<br />CiLY agencies
<br />
<br />...m~~.~'............III
<br />.v..............____.._.._............
<br />...............................-..
<br />Landowner or homeowner
<br />
<br />40
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