Board of Supervisors
District 1 Kevin Jeffries
951-955-1010
District 2 Karen Spiegel, Chair
951-955-1020
District 3 Chuck Washington
951-955-1030
District 4 V. Manuel Perez
951-955-1040
District 5 Jeff Hewitt, Vice Chair
951-955-1050
November 2, 2021
Re: Support letter for Santa Ana River Bottom Fuels Reduction Project
As a stakeholder in the Santa Ana River bottom area of Riverside County, we are pleased to support
the actions proposed by the Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD) to apply for a grant to
reduce the fire emergencies to all communities that are influenced by the river bottom. We
understand that the grant proposal will consist of hiring a qualified firm to write an environmental
document that complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and that firm will be
working cooperatively with RCFD as the lead agency, stakeholders, other government agencies
having jurisdiction and private landowners in the project area to accomplish all necessary
environmental studies, groundwork, documentation, and submission requirements as needed to
complete the CEQA document. This document will be used as a master plan for land use, fuel
reduction and water quality use that will benefit the surrounding areas for many years to come.
We are pleased to have the ability to be a part of the process to reduce the fire emergencies to all
communities that are influenced by the river bottom and will work cooperatively with RCFD and
area stakeholders. Our objective is to be a part of a unified and dedicated group of organizations
and individuals impacted by the defined project area, to attend workshops and cooperatively help
define the needs of the area as well as do our part to ensure a successful outcome.
We are confident that the undertaking is crucial to the health and longevity of the Santa Ana River
bottom's vegetation areas, species habitats and community safety. Riverside County is pleased to
be a part of this project and believe it is the first step in future fuels reduction projects, community
improvements, water reclamation projects and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions which
exemplifies the goals of RCFD and the County of Riverside for improving the resiliency of adjacent
communities in the wildland urban interface while achieving climate goals and protecting the diverse
species of plants and animals that reside in the Santa Ana River bottom.
Sincerely,
Karen Spiegel
Chair, Riverside County Board of Supervisors
County Administrative Center ● Fifth Floor ● 4080 Lemon Street ● Riverside, California 92501
Internet – Http://www.countyofriverside.us
