Why did the Corps change the policy on vegetation modification limits?
A10. – This change is in response to a number of public comments and the recommendations of experts in the field of fire protection. These experts, as well as publications from the U.S. Fire Administration, Colorado State University, and the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Agency recommended that reduced fuel zones be established within 30 feet of a habitable structure as a minimum distance for wildfire protection, and that the reduced fuel zone could be extended to as much as 150 feet under certain environmental circumstances. The Corps carefully weighed the need to protect Greers Ferry Lake and the need of homeowners to protect their property in deciding to extend the permissible distance for vegetation modification to 100 feet. The experts include Don McBride, District Forester, Arkansas Forestry Commission; Lane Kinder, Chief Fire Marshall, Little Rock Fire Department; Mary Jo Lavin, Director, USDA, Forest Service; John K. Baker, Fire Chief, Oakland, California Fire Dep
