The Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break Project (GNSFB) includes a fuel reduction and forest health zone within 200 to 300 feet from the edge of structures adjacent to the wildland-urban interface and heavily vegetated areas with a history or potential of ignition. The spread of exotic, invasive fire hazardous vegetation, and decades of dead vegetation accumulation resulting from fire suppression, drought, and sudden oak death has created significant wildfire hazards adjacent to the City of Novato and adjacent unincorporated areas. To mitigate these hazards in a manner that restores forest health and enhances native, fire resilient plant communities, a comprehensive plan and environmental compliance is in progress for a future multi-year mitigation effort.
This project is funded by Measure C (Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority), Measure A (Marin County Parks) and a generous grant through the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) Wildfire Prevention Grant Program.
Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 10-16-24)
Upcoming Field Trip: Join us for a site visit to see work underway on the GNSFB on October 22, 2024 at 10am. Meet at the end of Fairway Drive in Novato at the Buck Gulch Falls Trailhead (Google Maps) to learn more about this important work. This field trip will be wheelchair accessible. Please RSVP to acrealock@marinwildfire.org.
Project Update, August 2024: Please see THIS FIGURE to see where crews are working during summer and fall of 2024.
Project Update, August 2023: The portions of the project area implemented as part of Phase 1 (August 2023 through 2024) are displayed in the Phase 1 Map. Phases 1 and 2 are displayed in the Phases 1 and 2 Map.
The CEQA document (Project Specific Analysis and Addendum under the California Vegetation Treatment Program PEIR) for this project is available using the link at the bottom of this page.
The Property Owner Right of Entry Form is intended to grant permission to MWPA employees, contractors, and partner agency employees to access private property while providing services as part of the Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break project. If your property is located within the first phase of the GNSFB project area, you will likely receive this letter in the mail | (Español). Please sign and return the form digitally by clicking "here" | (Español) or mailing the hard copy to the following address:
Novato Fire Protection District - Administration Building
95 Rowland Way
Novato, CA 94945
If you have misplaced your copy or have any questions or concerns please contact us at VegMgmt@novatofire.org
PUBLIC FIELD TRIPS
NEW: Join us for a site visit to see work underway on the GNSFB!
- Date: October 22, 2024
- Time: 10-11am
- Meeting location: end of Fairway Drive in Novato at the Buck Gulch Falls Trailhead (Google Maps).
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
- RSVP to acrealock@marinwildfire.org
October 26, 2023: Thank you to all who joined MWPA, Novato Fire Protection District, and the ESP Partnership on October 26, 2023 for a site visit to see fire fuel reduction work for the Greater Novato Shaded Fuel Break Project. This project is currently in Phase 1 of implementation by Novato FPD. Stay tuned for future opportunities to visit this and other MWPA-funded projects.
Public Workshop 2 Materials (5/24/23)
MWPA and Novato Fire Protection District held a hybrid public workshop May 24, 2023 6-8pm at the Hamilton Community Center in Novato. A Public Meeting Announcement was mailed to all residents within 300 feet of the project area ahead of time (approx. 5,200 addresses). Meeting materials, including a video of the presentation, are linked below.
Public Workshop 1 Materials (11/9/2022)
MWPA and Novato Fire Protection District held a virtual public workshop Wed, November 9, 2022 6-8pm. A Public Meeting Announcement was mailed to all residents within 300 ft of the project area ahead of time (approx. 5,200 addresses). Meeting materials, including videos, are linked below.
Main Presentation:
Room 1: Environmental Review
Video - Room 1 (Session 1) and Slides - Room 1
Video - Room 1 (Session 2) *Session 1 and 2 are the same presentation for different attendees
Room 2: Hazard Modelling & Fuel Break Design
Photos- Examples of Similar Work
GNSFB Overall Proposed Project Mapbook
FAQ Document - Updated October 2024
To view the project area spatially, click on this link: GNSFB Google Earth File then click download. This file is viewable using Google Earth and allows the user to navigate and zoom into different parts of the project area. Go to google.com/earth or install Google Earth and use these instructions.
Note: the Overview KMZ shows the shaded fuel break as 300 feet wide, although typically fuel and forest health restoration treatments would occur within a 200-foot-wide zone.
