TUD was eligible for California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) Tree Mortality Hazard Tree Removal Program, which addressed hazardous drought- and bark beetle-killed trees threatening critical District infrastructure. Under California’s 2015 Tree Mortality Emergency, TUD identified, assessed, and removed dead and dying trees located near its water conveyance facilities and ditch systems to reduce the risk of infrastructure damage, water service disruptions, and public safety hazards.
As part of the final reimbursement request, TUD completed hazard tree assessments, mapping, tree marking, data collection, and removal activities across multiple facilities and ditch systems, including Soulsbyville, Columbia, Jamestown, Phoenix Lake, Sonora, Tuolumne, Twain Harte, San Diego, Matelot, Table Mountain, Shaws Flat, Eureka, and Montezuma Ditches. During this final phase, 145 hazardous trees were removed. The work included drop-and-lop treatments and full cleanup operations performed between September 2019 and May 2020, with the project reaching 100% completion on May 12, 2020.