Rim Reforestation Spring 2026 Reforestation and Release

The County of Tuolumne is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to conduct reforestation and release work related to the Master Stewardship Agreement the County has with the USDA, Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest on behalf of the Yosemite Stanislaus Solutions (YSS) Collaborative.

The County intends to select Contractors that meet the specifications of this Solicitation based on best value.

The Rim Reforestation project consists of planting trees and release that will be done according to the specifications and alternatives approved in the Rim Fire Restoration and Reforestation Record of Decisions (ROD). The work will be conducted on approximately 2,500 acres within the Rim Fire burn scar within Tuolumne County , not to exceed 560,000 seedlings planted . We anticipate receiving 537,660 seedlings. An estimated 2,500 acres will be planted from a combination of 1,128 acres of site prepped units planted at 300 trees per acre, and 1,375 acres of previously planted units (interplanting) at 200 trees per acre until seedlings are exhausted, depending on the changing, dropping, or adding of planting units based on plantability.

Planting will occur between March 15th, 2026 and May 30th, 2026. Herbicide application will commence no later than May 30th, 2026 and end no later than June 30th, 2026. Manual Release (hand grubbing) will occur between March 15th, 2026 and June 30th, 2026, and will commence no later than May 30th, 2026.

In December 2018, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors approved a Master Stewardship Agreement with the USDA, Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest on behalf of the YSS Collaborative, giving the County authority over the next 10 years to work with the Forest Service to conduct landscape restoration activities on the Stanislaus National Forest within the boundaries of Tuolumne County. In July 2024, this agreement was extended an additional 10 years until 2038.

The Supplemental Project Agreements developed under the Master Stewardship Agreement are for the purpose of protecting, enhancing and restoring forest and watershed health and bringing economic opportunities to the local area. Tuolumne County is using the collaborative group YSS and its sub-partners inside YSS to assist with Forest Health Projects.

Yosemite River's Alliance (YRA), formerly Tuolumne River Trust (TRT), has been sub-contracted by the County for program administration and project management. YRA will supervise Contractors and oversee the work being done on the projects issued to any Contractor.