The LSPOA’s new tractor was busy in December doing brush clearing on vacant lots, road right of ways, and the greenbelt common areas. The tractor’s attachments, a bush hog and mastication arm, are capable of chopping up growth of large manzainta.
We live on Muskrat, just off Jackson Ranch Rd. and along with many neighbors, were evacuated during the Hoy Fire. We have pulled and cut brush since then to give us 200 feet or more of clearance from our home and feel much safer now.
But a neighbor pointed out that we are also removing habitat, not only deer but all manner of birds and small animals that use the brush for shelter or food. She was not a tree-hugger at all and in fact had her lot mowed by LSPOA, too. But her point is fair; the subdivision is in a deer wintering area, a place where they historically spent the colder months.
Another friend told me that Fish and Game actually had a say in lot size back in the 1970's and that they were the ones who required some of the open spaces we see now (greenbelts, park sites, Zen Mt., etc.) in order to not adversely impact this pre-existing deer scenario.
Wildfires are natural too, like the deer, and some say needed. At the meeting after the Hoy Fire I recall hearing CDF say there had been many, many burns here before. But who wants their house to burn down?
Are there any compromises out there?
Editor
3 comments:
I don’t mind clearing of the land for fire protection; it makes sense to remove most of the Buck Brush, Manzanita, and similar vegetation. Trimming the trees, as recommended by Cal Fire, is a good idea. This still leaves enough cover for the wildlife that we enjoy. What I do object to is the idea that every piece of property needs to be fenced with a 6-foot high fence! If you feel that you need that kind of privacy your living in the wrong place. Go back to Southern California!
David - so what's your beef about Southern California? Nobody down here complains about the people or lifestyle up there - it's beautiful. And SoCal has some pretty beautiful places too. I see your point about the fences; it makes sense. But no reason to cast aspersion on another region of California. Each part of California has its up and downsides.
It will all grow back faster and bigger in a couple of years. Doesn't anybody relize that.
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