Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)

Progress to Date The City of Ashland works within its city limits and with partners outside its limits to promote sustainable management and conservation of its natural ecosystems. Here are some ways the City is currently taking action: • The Ashland Forest Resiliency Project has produced planning documents that consider optimized forest fuel management and wildfire planning in the face of climate change. • A new city Water Master Plan will incorporate future climate risks to water supply and quality into future service planning and activities. • The City promotes drought-tolerant landscaping through education, outreach, and technical assistance. • The City water utility has a tiered rate structure to provide incen - tives for conservation among the largest water uses. • The 2016 Ashland Forest Plan calls for over 500 acres of wildfire hazard reduction in and around the City, over 150 acres of commercial thinning, and the establishment of a controlled underburn - ing program to continually reintroduce the natural role of fire in our fire-dependent ecosystem. Goals and Indicators Goals • Enhance ecosystem health and resilience. • Ensure sustained access to clean air and drinking water. Potential Indicators • Acres of protected and restored habitat. • Acres of forest maintained. • Stream water quality. • Water supply and consumption. 83 ASHLAND CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLANNATURAL SYSTEMS