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Abstract <br />Robichaud, Peter R.; Boyers, Jan L.; Neary, Daniel G. 2000. Evaluating the effectiveness of postfire <br />rehabilitation treatments. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-63. Fort Coliins: U.S. Department ofPyricui- <br />ture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 85 p. <br />Spending on postfire emergency watershed rehabilitation has increased during the past decade. A <br />west-wide evaluation of USDA Forest Service burned area emergency rehabilitation (BAER) Veatment <br />effectiveness was undertaken as a joint project by USDA Forest Service Research and National Forest <br />System staffs. This evaluation covers 470 fires and 321 BAER projects, from 1973 through 1998 in USDA <br />Forest Service Regions 1 through 6. A literature review, interviews with key Regional and Forest BAER <br />specialists, analysis of burned area reports, and review of Forest and District monitoring reports were <br />used in the evaluation. The studyfound that spending on rehabilitation has increased to over $48 million <br />during the past decade because the perceived threat of debris flows and floods has increased where fires <br />are closer to the wildland-urban interface. Existing literature on treatment effectiveness is limited, thus <br />making treatment comparisons difficult. The amount of protection provided by any treatment is small. Of <br />the available treatments, contour-felled logs show promise as an effective hillslope treatment because <br />theyprovidesomeimmediatewatershedprotection,especiallyduringthefirstpostfireyear. Seeding has <br />a low probability of reducing The first season erosion because most of the benefits of the seeded grass <br />occurs after the initial damaging runoff events. To reduce road failures, Veatments such as properly <br />spaced rolling dips, water bars, and culvert reliefs can move water past the road prism. Channel <br />treatments such as straw bale check dams should be used sparingly because onsite erosion control is <br />more effective Phan offsite sediment storage in channels in reducing sedimentation from burned <br />watersheds. From this review, we recommend increased treatment effectiveness monitoring at the <br />hillslope and sub-catchment scale, streamlined pos~re data collection needs, increased training on <br />evaluation postfire watershed conditions, and development of an easily accessible knowledge base of <br />BAER techniques. <br />Keywords: bum severity, erosion control, BAER, burned area emergency rehabilitation, mitigation, <br />seeding, monitoring. <br />The Authors <br />Peter R. Robfchaud is a Research Engineer with the Station's Soil and Water Engineering Research <br />Work Unit, and Is statoned atthe Forestry Sciences Laboratory,1221 South Main St., Moscow, ID 83843. <br />Jan L. Boyers is a Research Piant Ecologist with the Pacific Southwest Research Station's Prescribed <br />Fire and Fire Effects Research Work Unit, and is stationed at the Riverside Fire Laboratory, 4955 Canyon <br />Crest Dr., Riverside, CA 92507. <br />Daniel G, Neary is a Research Soil Scientist and Project Leader with the Sustainability of Riparian <br />Ecological Systems Research Work Unit and is stationed at the Southwest Forest Science Complex, <br />2500 S. Pine Knoll, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. <br />The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not <br />imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service. <br />