The wildfire prevention update will be given by Chris Rea, a wildfire mitigation specialist with Lake Travis Fire and Rescue. The project is split into two major phases with a budget of $350,000. Current estimates indicate the project will complete in the first quarter of 2022, according to documents on file with the city.
The work underway in the greenbelt is intended to construct shaded fuel breaks, which are designed to prevent fire from easily traveling through wooded areas. These breaks are gaps and clearings between trees that slow a potential wildfire by keeping it close to the ground and away from the high branches, or the crown, of trees.
Work in the greenbelt also is intended to move dense trees 30 to 100 feet away from private property lines. Hamilton Greenbelt totals about 90 acres, but due to rough terrain, 75 acres fall under the scope of the project.
Also scheduled for discussion by Rea is a future project to perform wildfire prevention adjacent to North Lakeway Village off Clara Van Drive.
After this update, Lakeway City Manager Julie Oakley is scheduled to lead a work session on the 2021-22 budget. The City of Lakeway typically holds a series of public sessions on the budget, leading up to adoption of the budget in late September, according to information posted on the city’s website. The FY 2020-21 city budget totals $15.06 million.
