Minutes
of the February 28, 2008 meeting
of the Coarsegold Resource Conservation District
in conjunction with the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council
Chair Tom Wheeler called the meeting to order at 12:12.
Present were Board members Ernie Beck (who was a few minutes late), Nancy
Beavers, Neil McDougald, Kelley NeVille and Allan Rosasco. Also present
were Associates Jeannie Habben, Fred Mahoney, Don Nielsen and Chuck Sikora.
Guests included Ray Beach, Randell Ishii, S. Greg Farley, Maria Miranda,
Janet Stanovich and John Weiser all part of Madera County; USFS District
Ranger Dave Martin; grantwriter
Elissa Brown; Guy Anderson and Ryan Williams (Cal Fire); Devon Cotsamire
(Y/SRC&D), Dale Drozen (DoG), Jenny Gabor (NRCS) , Judy Johnson (Weed
Management), Anne Lombardo (Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project),
Karen Morris (Picayune Rancheria), and Sandy Wright (SJVRC&D). Also
Helen George, Butch Morris and Bryce Shears.
The agenda was approved. Out of order, there was
discussion about the recent tree sale. The trees had been donated by the
Sierra RCD and were different this year. Leftovers were donated back to
the Southern California Edison nursery in Auberry where they will grow
them for our tree sale use next year. Nancy suggested raising prices.
Kelley says we will not need to buy as much. Treasurer Nancy reported a
surplus after expenses of $1,168.79 with sales of $2,529.52. Plants and
trees cost $1,140.73 with an estimated sales tax due of $220. While
surplus only varied by a little over $200 ($1,195.80 in 2006 and $966.47
in 2007), there was great variation in the cost of the plants: $1,636.20
in 2006 and $1685.03 in 2007. There will be a team meeting in August to
plan the 2009 tree sale.
There were three presentations that morphed into two.
Madera County’s new Resource Management Agency Director Ray Beach, new
Planning Department Director Jerald James, and new Engineer Greg Farley
were introduced. Ray talked about a more Regional approach to projects,
something that was not used in the past. He complimented Madera County
Chief Financial Officer Stell Manfredi and indicated the County did not
anticipate losing any personnel due to the state budget cuts. They hope to
start on Road 200 soon, and think they have found the money for the North
Fork Fire Station. They also are looking at the Bass Lake Government
Center and the Ahwahnee Fire Station.
Jerald indicated that the County right now must put
attention on a lot of water, land use and transportation issues. He went
to the Board and requested a go ahead on identifying potential Madera
County landowners which would help with a mitigation bank. They are trying
to protect the future of wildlife habitat, open spaces and transportation
corridors. Looking ahead for 50 years, a mitigation bank needs to be
established. And there needs to be something in it for the landowner. Once
the County needs are met, it can be opened to use by other local Counties.
Most developers have to mitigate at a 3:1 ratio, that is buy 3 for each
one disturbed. The County wants to start such a project but doesn’t want
to run it. A third party auditor is needed to monitor the credits. “Like
us,” said President Tom referring to the CRCD. Staff’s first step is
to get seed money and do the public notice, then meet with the public and
the landowners and find those who would like to sit on this committee.
This will be a good opportunity for partnerships as cattle can continue
grazing on the land, and the habitat can be improved or increased.
President Tom indicated that all the stakeholders need
to be involved or the planning process will be taken out of our hands. Ray
said that initially the primary participants will be agricultural land
owners. Indeed, already several large County ranchers are considering the
project. And County projects such as the widening of parts of Road 200 are
being held up because mitigation is not readily available. This will be
available and not just for private people but for all levels of
government.
Neil told
about the 200 acres set aside to mitigate the activities involved with
building the new Minarets High School. The school will not pay for their
mitigation but others will; money above what is needed to expand and
enhance that and other projects will go back into the school program.
There does need to be a general plan update as we don’t want to just
create patches; it needs to be well thought out and managed.
Elissa talked about a program of mitigation banks
starting up with a master plan covering them. This would be one of the
first necessary actions of the committee. A partnership with the County
and the CRCD would give strong grant appeal. There is a great need for
this as mitigation will be needed for future road projects. Further even
though the State cut Williamson Act funding, the County is responsible to
pay off those contracts until they expire.
For the second presentation, Dave Martin spoke of the
challenges facing the USFS; one is the loss of open space. Wildlife
doesn’t care if the land is private or public. Dave and Anne Lombardo
gave some background that for the last 10 to 15 years the emphasis has
been the reduction of fuel and therefore fire hazard. Wildfire is normal
and natural but without fuel reduction it can be catastrophic. South Fork
Bluffs was a perfect example of this for it worked well for brushed areas
helped stop the North Fork fire. Projects are being put in strategic
places in the Sierra National Forest and now around communities. They are
working with both Madera and Mariposa County to try to identify areas of
highest concern and put efforts there first. Right now the biggest area of
concern are along the Highway 41 corridor. Cedar Valley and Sugar Pine
have the highest potential for disaster, especially with Cedar Valley only
having one thin road in and out. 20% of the thinning has already been done
there.
The Pacific Fisher, a small carnivore, was spotted as
part of the brushing project. Between here and the Cascades there are
almost no Pacific Fishers. However, there is an important genetic base
here in Eastern Madera County. How do you manage for the type of base
these creatures need while continuing to reduce the fire potential. In
2004 we were allowed to pick two study areas, Oakhurst and Tahoe, and
implement the studies. Then an independent group will continue the
evaluation and if it doesn’t work, they will change it. UC is the third.
And the question is what is the eco friendly way to thin trees. Public
participation is needed and wanted. In fact there are not only educational
opportunities but a commitment to educate in the schools. This is really
exciting and should not cost a lot for the schools.
This trap and collar wildlife study of the Pacific
Fisher is considered the most important tagging study in North America.
The goal is to collar 20. The study will not only determine just where the
Pacific Fishers are and how “happy” they are but how are they
responding to the typical fuel reduction project.
We need to prove that what we are doing is ok.
Water Quality will be monitored by someone from UC
Merced, someone from Berkeley will also be involved and stream flow
measurement is important. Neil wondered if the contracts had been
competitively bid and why the Kings River Experimental study over the past
ten years can’t be used. Answer: USFS information is suspect so an
independent third party needs to get the info.
Following the presentations, the meeting continued at
1:26. It was moved, seconded and carried that the minutes from the
December 2007 meeting be approved as presented. Motion carried. There were
no minutes for January as the meeting had been snowed out.
Treasurer Nancy reported a combined balance of $7,143.61
as of February 28th. This consists of $2,457.81 in the General Account and
$4,680.11 in the 204 Willow Creek Account. There has been no change in the
Rangeland VBS or the National Wild Turkey Federation Grant account. The
Treasurer’s report was accepted.
Under Public comment there was general agreement that it
was good to see Doug Bowman
and that his retirement party had been great.
Correspondence was the usual pamphlets and brochures.
- Tom went to a meeting where it was announced that 20 fire stations and 10 fire camps will be closing due to a 44 million dollar reduction. Administration costs are being deducted also, and payment are running 30 to 60 days out.
- Public Comment on the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan is due March 21; there will be a meeting in Oakhurst on March 8 at Oakhurst Junior College. Jeannie Habben has a CD available with the information. The final writing of the plan will go to the Board of Supervisors on 4/15 to be approved to meet the 4/30 deadline to the state.
- Dave said that certain lawsuits against the USFS will be denied if the plaintiff is not at the local table i.e., Kentucky cannot sue the California USFS.
Devon spoke for the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe
Council. The Mudge Ranch fuel break has just been finished. The contracts
were signed two weeks ago. In progress is where 420 crosses over 41 and
also 620. The Prop 40 Forester is not Ryan Williams from CalFire. By early
May projects for 2008/2009 should be identified.
CFIP, the Forest Improvement Project, has started up
again. Right now they are looking at maintenance on some of the old roads.
8.a.1 Jeannie
reported that the Central Sierra Watershed Committee met yesterday. Jerald
James was there and there were lengthy discussions. CalFed came to
Oakhurst last Friday to get information from the group which was the
largest and most active group so far. On March 12 and 13, the Sierra
Nevada Conservancy will be doing tours of our area. On April 1 in Modesto,
there will be an Invasive Species Management workshop. On April 7, Intermountain Nursey will be doing a Water Wise Landscaping
presentation.
8A2
For the Chowchilla/Fresno Watershed, Jeannie reported that there
was going to be a Dairy workshop on March 15 at Farnesi’s in Chowchilla.
The meeting will be from 9 to 1 and lunch will be free to those who
register in advance. Jeannie will be talking about Arunda at Office of
Emergency Services on March 5. There will be a fire
hazard reduction “Emergency Knows No Boundaries” workshop on March 6.
8a3
The six year Millerton Area/Upper Finegold Watershed study is now
done. The new Upper San Joaquin River Stewardship Council is just starting
up. Jeannie will be contacting folks to be a part of the stakeholder
groups. The target date for the first informational meeting is April 16
with a full day workshop at the end of the month, most likely April 26.
There is a Sierra Nevada Conservancy Tour scheduled for Kinsman Flats.
The Area 9 meeting can piggyback with the CA/NV
conference at Bass Lake.
Elissa reported that state water resources is going to
upgrade its standards so we will need to upgrade our plan. We will be
looking at both climate change and oversight. This is needed because right
now nothing tells how the plan will be updated in the future or how it
will be reviewed to see if it is in compliance. This is a major
opportunity for public involvement. This needs to be a living plan, not
static. Neil mentioned the Sierra Land Management Plan which was low
profile with almost no recognition on the Valley floor. There was
discussion about “our plan not your plan”. Input is welcomed from all.
Elissa applied on behalf of the County, for a CalFed
Watershed Assessment Grant. Now the County is going through the process to
obtain consultants. The plan involves gathering already existing
information and compiling into something that would be easily accessible
for folks. Suggested study areas include road sedimentation, macro and
micro invertebrates, septic system impact on nitrate loading, etc. All of
these are important in our sensitive area. This will be a 2-1/2 year
process; once it is done, there will be more money for the plan to be
implemented. There is a position for a consultant and a project manager
for the grant website.
There will be public meeting. Neil questioned if we were
going to have another personally written biased section with condemnation
of livestock grazing. The study and technical information will be gathered
by Fresno State but they are not formulating the conclusion. Jerald James
will be the manager; this will be through his department and the Central
Sierra Watershed Committee will do the oversight. Neil is looking for a
safety valve to insure that mis-information doesn’t again get into the
public record.
8.d
Chuck Sikora represents us at the State Forest Stewardship Council.
He has a problem with an owner: his land was logged 35 years ago and now
there is a dense second growth. The owner would like to clear, to reduce
the fire threat to Yosemite National Park. What to do? There will be a
conference, the collaborative workshop, toward the end of May (see agenda
item 10.e). It will be necessary to identify the barriers and find ways to
overcome those barriers.
8.e.1 Helen
reported on the Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation & Development
Council. She has started a temporary job with them today. They are working
with the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council and also trying to help
the Fresno FSC. Devon will be here through June 3; Hazel is working for
the USFS, stationed here in North Fork. The new VISTA volunteer is gung
ho. The next meeting will be March 14.
8.e.2 Sandy
said the next San Joaquin Valley Resource Conservation and Development
meeting will be March 27, covering soil and water conservation. They will
be getting a booth at the CA/NV meeting at the $60 non-profit rate. We can
be together as we did at the Pac Rim conference. It was moved by Ernie,
seconded by Allan to do this. Motion carried unanimously.
9.a
The MOU with Fish & Game has run out on the Kinsman Flats
project. Doug Bowman will work with us to get it renewed. It does need to
be rewritten. Doug will try to get it for a 3 to 5 year period. Also, we
need to move forward using the Wild Turkey Grant. Truth is, $8000 will not
cover the expenses. Can we get a grant for more? Doug will be our project
manager. It was moved by Neil, seconded by Allan to do this. Motion
carried. We also need to get the sign up.
Doug requested a letter of support he could take to
Sacramento on March 3. As is stands now, as of July 1, a person cannot
shoot with lead bullets which is poisoning the condors. Fred will write
the letter, Tom will sign it.
9.b and 10b: Jenny reported that the Youth Workshop will
be Friday April 11 at the Experimental Range. She asked for contacts at
local schools. It was moved by Neil, seconded by Allan to give $200 toward
the expenses of the event. Both agreed to change the motion to $300 so
that there could be better food for lunch. The restated motion carried.
The event is open so everyone could attend. Speak-off this year deals with
rehabilitation of wildfire areas.
9.c
99 elderberry plants were planted at Minarets High School. Planted
They’re looking good; cows pulled out five and some died, but they are
being replanted. By cutting down the elderberry plants rather than
extracting them, they will re-sprout.
Slowly we are getting to the wetlands mitigation. We
need to set up terrariums with salimanders. There will be an MOU between
the CRCD and Chawanakee that supports the wetlands area. The use of the
property and the plant materials by Native Americans needs to be
integrated into the MOUS.
9.d
Covered above
9.e
We have to do a horse Living Among the Oaks workshop. Neil will
have the date and refined subject at the next meeting. The latest could be
June but May would be better.
9.f.
Judy reported that the Bass Lake Broom Removal Day will be
Saturday, March 29. It will be a fun work day with two sessions, one
morning and one afternoon. It will cover both public and private
properties.
The other plant coming into the area is Klamath Weed. It
was at Upper Finegold and now is moving up 200 and up 41. We can see it
here in North fork and also on 222 between here and the Manzanita Plant.
9.g (NWTF), 9.i (Conference), and 9.l (tree sale) are all above.
9.h.(Herbivores) and 9.k (Chawanakee Learning) No
report.
9.j
The foothill freeway being talked about, highway 65, is one
proposed many years ago skirting the foothills, going to Exeter.
10.a
It was moved by Ernie, seconded by Neal to pay $50 to the North
Fork Community Development Council because as a member we will be able to
use the conference room here at the mill site.
10.g (Youth workshop) and 10.e (Biomass workshop) were both talked about above.
10.c was moved to the future agenda item footnotes.
10.d (MOU) was tabled
10.g (Larry’s
emails) were discussed.
There being no further business to come before the
group, it adjourned at 3:32.
Respectfully submitted
Volney Dunavan
