January 16, 2022 - AUBURN, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation is working with managing partner California Department of Parks and Recreation at Auburn State Recreation Area on a 176-acre goat grazing project. This project area was initially treated to establish an expanded shaded fuel break through a partnership with Placer County Resources Conservation District (PCRCD). Stakeholders providing input to help lessen the threat of potential wildfire include the City of Auburn Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council, and Placer County Fire Safe Alliance.

The project, implementing a portion of the Five-Year Fuels Management Plan for Auburn Project Lands, will graze goats in the Auburn shaded fuel break for three months to decrease fuel (vegetation) loads on woodlands adjacent to the City of Auburn associated with the wildland-urban interface (where homes meet the forest). Contracted goat herds will graze within temporary electric fencing along the 300-foot boundary within the shaded fuel break, away from the houses adjacent to the federal land boundary, under supervision by herding dogs and goat herders.

The project’s goal is to maintain this 176-acre area that has been previously treated by hand crews under a CAL FIRE grant managed by PCRCD. Goat grazing will help thin lower vegetation layers, reduce the potential for wildfire to move into the larger growths of shrubs and trees, and create space for firefighting equipment access.

No significant changes in recreational trail or land use are expected to occur during the grazing; people hiking the trails, however, will be cited if their dogs are not on leashes or harassing the goats.

Learn more about this project at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=50568.

Contact Emmett Cartier with questions at 916-537-7082 (TTY 800-877-8339) or ecartier@usbr.gov.