- Metric Name:  Cost of Potential Treatments

- Data Vintage:  2023

- Unit Of Measure: Dollars per acre

The principle method for maintaining or restoring resilience to the southern California landscape involves vegetation treatments. There are many variations on treatments involving different kinds of equipment and different activities of managing vegetation. The metric has gathered available information on the costs of the major treatment methods and incorporated this information into a geospatial database.

There are no treatments of vegetation in southern California that generate revenue. All treatments included here are represented simply as costs per acre.

Field names:

Mastication = CALFIRE estimates for treatments per acre (Brush = $1,669, Herbaceous = $1,813, Woodland = $1,198, Forest = $1,788)

Masticat_1 = USFS estimates per acre (low end = $800), depends on amount of vegetation

Masticat_2 = USFS estimates per acre (high end = $1700), depends on amount of vegetation

Thinning_m = CALFIRE estimates for manual thinning per acre (Brush = $2,534, Herbaceous = $1,851, Woodland = $2,683, Forest = $1,461)

Thinning_1 = USFS estimates per acre (low end = $450), depends on amount of vegetation

Thinning_2 = USFS estimates per acre (high end = $950), depends on amount of vegetation

Thinning_3 = CALFIRE estimates mechanical thinning per acre (Brush = $2,500, Herbaceous = N/A, Woodland = $2,807, Forest = $957)

Thinning_4 = USFS estimates mechanical thinning per acre (low end = $945), depends on amount of vegetation

Thinning_5 = USFS estimates mechanical thinning per acre (high end = $1,800), depends on amount of vegetation

Piling_man = CALFIRE estimates manual piling per acre (Brush = $2,551, Herbaceous = N/A, Woodland = N/A, Forest = $1,071)

Piling_m_1 = USFS estimates manual piling per acre (low end = $400), depends on amount of vegetation

Piling_m_2 = USFS estimates manual piling per acre (high end = $1,200), depends on amount of vegetation

Piling_mec = CALFIRE estimates mechanical piling per acre (Brush = $1,521, Herbaceous = N/A, Woodland = $251, Forest = $640)

Piling_m_3 = USFS estimates mechanical piling per acre (low end = $800), depends on amount of vegetation

Piling_m_4 = USFS estimates mechanical piling per acre (high end = $1,200), depends on amount of vegetation

LopScatter = CALFIRE estimates lop and scatter per acre (Brush = $1,263, Herbaceous = N/A, Woodland = $1,217, Forest = $1,616)

LopScatt_1 = USFS estimates lop and scatter per acre N/A

LopScatt_2 = USFS estimates lop and scatter per acre N/A

Herbicide_ = CALFIRE estimates herbicide (post-treatment) per acre (Brush = $675, Herbaceous = $396, Woodland = $667, Forest = $325)

Herbicide1 = USFS estimates herbicide (post-treatment) per acre (low end = $250), depends on amount of vegetation

Herbicid_1 = USFS estimates herbicide (post-treatment) per acre (high end = $450), depends on amount of vegetation

Pileburn_C = CALFIRE estimates pile burn per acre (Brush = $2,303, Herbaceous = $3,125, Woodland = N/A, Forest = $810)

Pileburn_U = USFS estimates lop and scatter per acre N/A

Pileburn_1 = USFS estimates lop and scatter per acre N/A

Creation Method: Multiple land managers in southern California (Forest Service, CALFIRE) were contacted to obtain current estimates of costs of different treatment methods. We received current estimates from both on treatment costs per acre for a variety of treatment methods. Those cost estimates varied by vegetation type and treatment method. These data were linked to the updated FVEG spatial data and rolled up into a single raster with attributes reflecting these two cost variables. These data are subject to further refinement and changes in costs. Data will continue to be gathered to improve these estimates.

- Credits:  CALFIRE

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE): 
Data disclaimer:  
The State of California and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data or maps. The user will not seek to hold the State or the Department liable under any circumstances for any damages with respect to any claim by the user or any third party on account of or arising from the use of data or maps.



USDA Forest Service

USDA Forest Service: 
Data disclaimer:  
The USDA Forest Service makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or utility of these geospatial data, or for the improper or incorrect use of these geospatial data. These geospatial data and related maps or graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The data and maps may not be used to determine title, ownership, legal descriptions or boundaries, legal jurisdiction, or restrictions that may be in place on either public or private land. Natural hazards may or may not be depicted on the data and maps, and land users should exercise due caution. The data are dynamic and may change over time. The user is responsible to verify the limitations of the geospatial data and to use the data accordingly.