Carmel Forest Management Plan (IN PROGRESS)
The Carmel Forest Management Plan (CFMP) is currently underway. The goal is to produce a guiding document that helps us further understand the state of our forest, while providing a management plan for how best to take care of it, including the protection of our predominant and native Monterey pine, coast live oak, and cypress, over the next 40+ years.
ADMINISTRATIVE DRAFT OF THE CARMEL FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN:
SAVE THE DATE — WE WILL BE HOLDING TWO STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS, ON OCTOBER 28TH AND 29TH, AT THE SUNSET CENTER’S CARPENTER HALL IN ORDER FOR STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO DISCUSS THIS ADMINISTRATIVE DRAFT SECTION BY SECTION.
Although we will have public comment, the purpose of this meeting is for the Steering Committee, the City Forester, and a local Ecologist to discuss this document among themselves, and since this is a public process, we are opening it up to the public to listen.
There will be future meetings - just as there have been in the recent past - whose purpose is to engage in dialogue with residents, however the purpose of these two days is for the Steering Committee and local experts to have an opportunity to discuss this draft among themselves, in a public setting, since they have not had a chance to do so yet. Come join us.
October 28th (Carpenter Hall, Sunset Center): 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
October 29th (Carpenter Hall, Sunset Center): 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where are we in the process?
We are currently beginning the CEQA Initial Study process, now that we have a tangible administrative draft.
In 2025, we we will also have further administrative draft(s) of this document based on Steering Committee feedback, public feedback, and CEQA findings.
Also in 2025, there will be another Community Meeting. More information forthcoming.
Will the character of the forest change?
No. The native, predominant populations of Monterey pine, coast live oak, and Monterey cypress will continue to be maintained, cared for, and prioritized.
When will the CFMP process conclude?
The short answer is, it will take as long as it needs to for the city to comply with environmental review, incorporate expert input, incorporate public sentiment, and translate that into the creation of an excellent final product.
Documents previously presented to the Forest & Beach Commission, and to the public, are:
- Tree Inventory: Over 10,000 City trees were assessed and each was given a unique identifying number on a digital inventory map so that the city can track each tree over time
- Community Tree Resource Analysis
- Tree Canopy and Land Cover Assessment
- Community Survey Results (UFMP) Summary Slideshow
- DRAFT of the Recommended Tree Species List This document will be heavily and significantly revised based on feedback from the public, Steering Committee members, and ISA-certified master arborists (including our City Forester). Native Monterey pines, coast live oak, and cypress will remain the predominant species and that which the city recommends.
COMMUNITY MEETING ON 05/22/24:
RESULTS FROM THE COMMUNITY MEETING ON 05.22.2024
Agenda and Handout from 05.22.2024
(Reference Material: Tree Species List from 2001 Forest Management Plan)
The following “CWPP” is not part of the Carmel Forest Management Plan (CFMP), however it is included here for reference due to its recent adoption by City Council and relation to our forest:
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) website