Consider and take appropriate action to approve an Interlocal Agreement between Travis County and Texas A&M Forest Service (the Texas A&M University System) for performing services on Travis County public lands, including prescribed fire assistance and mechanical fire fuel mitigation activities. (Commissioners Howard & Morales)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse;"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" style="padding: 0.75pt 1pt;vertical-align: top;"><p style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;'>Travis County Parks is requesting approval to continue its Interlocal Agreement with Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) for cooperative wildfire mitigation and prescribed fire activities on Travis County parklands. This cooperative agreement was originally established in 2016, updated and continued for an additional five-year term in 2021, and Travis County Parks is now requesting that the partnership be continued for another five-year term beginning in 2026.</p><p style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;'><br>Under the agreement, TFS may provide assistance through its Mitigation and Prevention Program for prescribed fire operations and mechanical fire fuel mitigation when TFS personnel and resources are available. Mechanical mitigation activities may include dozer work, removal of brush and debris, mulching, and chipping.</p><p style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;'><br>For prescribed fire operations, Travis County will provide the Burn Boss and maintain responsibility for preparing the site-specific burn plan, managing and organizing the prescribed burn, coordinating participating agencies, and providing TFS advance notification of opportunities to participate. TFS may provide qualified personnel, tools, equipment, and administrative support when resources are available.</p><p style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;'><br>Mechanical fuel mitigation work will be conducted on dates mutually agreed upon by Travis County and TFS and in accordance with a work plan developed by either party and approved by the other.</p><p style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;'><br>The agreement establishes a five-year cooperative framework for Travis County Parks and TFS to continue working together to reduce hazardous wildland fuels, improve wildfire community protection, and implement prescribed fire and other land management activities on County-owned property.</p><p style='margin:0in;font-size:16px;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;'><br>There is no monetary compensation associated with the agreement. TFS's participation supports its mission of wildfire community protection while providing Travis County access to additional state resources, personnel, equipment, and technical expertise when available.<br><br></p></td></tr></tbody></table>