Coastal Marin Update from Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA)
Thanks to measure C, the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) has planned and organized projects with its 17 member agencies in Marin County.
For access to the interactive map application click on the link here:
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Core Vegetation Management Projects Maps
The Inverness Public Utility District participates in this effort as a member, with our Director Kathryn Donohue serving on the MWPA Board of Directors. Our Fire Department staff work with the MWPA team to identify areas for project assessment and planning. We currently have two (2) active projects that are described below, along with the ongoing defensible space inspections and local vegetation management work we participate in annually. The funds from Measure C also support the Chipper Program and provides funds for home hardening grants.
Marin Wildfire takes a House-Out approach to wildfire resilience. In 2024 activities included:
- 2024 Defensible Space & Home Hardening Inspections: 2,355
- 2024 Chipper Pickups: 1,321
- 2024 Grant Awards to Residents: 27
Projects
Coastal Critical Infrastructure Defensible Space Project
This project received California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance through an exemption and has been coordinated with the County of Marin for Coastal Act compliance. This work includes fuel reduction around critical infrastructure (e.g., water tanks, treatment facilities, utility structures) within Muir Beach (pictured below), Stinson Beach, Bolinas, and Inverness.
The Coastal Fuel Reduction Network Project
The Coastal Fuel Reduction Network Project includes linear project areas adjacent to homes and communities in Inverness, Bolinas, Stinson Beach, and Muir Beach (red lines on map below). This project received regulatory compliance through the Governor's Wildfire Risk Emergency Proclamation. Pre-planning activities (botanical and cultural surveys, contracting, right-to-enter, outreach to neighbors) are underway in several locations.
In Inverness, work has begun in the Seahaven area. Work will generally take place using hand crews within portions of the project area indicated in the figure below. The entire polygon will not be treated during this field season. Work will include removal of dead and down material; thinning of understory vegetation; limbing up of trees; and removal of some dead, diseased and/or hazardous trees.
Consistent with all of this work, crew training will cover biological resources, cultural resources, and other topics and will take place in both English and Spanish. A biologist will walk the project areas ahead of crews and flag areas to avoid.
Marin County Forest Health and Fire Resilience Public Works Plan
The Marin County Forest Health and Fire Resilience Public Works Plan (Marin PWP) creates a general permitting framework under the California Coastal Act for future projects in Coastal Marin. The Marin PWP was approved by Marin Wildfire's Board on September 18. The next step will be a Coastal Commission hearing, which will likely take place in December. Once the Marin PWP is approved, each future project would need compliance under CEQA and a Notice of Impending Development (NOID) submitted to the California Coastal Commission.
