by Maria Phillips - mariaphillips05@comcast.net
Hello, friends! Once again, I am impelled to write to you because last night I went to a most amazing presentation at the Chico Grange with terrific speakers on the issue of water. The featured speaker was Maude Barlow, a water activist from Canada with credits that won't quit and brilliant in every way. Inspiring is what she was. Just shining! I came away convinced that I'm going to channel a good part of my new watchdogginess and energies to water issues.
I wouldn't dream of trying to synthesize the events of the evening, but I'll attach the pdf flier announcing it —and wish I'd sent it earlier so you could all have joined us. And I bought Barlow's new book, Blue Covenant, now on sale at Lyon Books. I think the talks were recorded—I'd sure like to have a transcript, because all the speakers offered such important details. All of them were wonderful, mind you, but I must say that Barbara Vlamis knocked my socks off. Suffice it to say she came armed with an old water hose as visual aid and prop. If any of you were around during the 1994 local water crisis, you'll know what that coil of hose represents. Barbara spoke on local water histories and issues; Maude on global water histories and issues. Water warriors. That's what she said we were and I believe her. Water water everywhere….and that brings us to politics.
It's abundantly clear, I think, that the people that represent us at every level, city, county, state, and federal, will have tremendous impact on how we grow and what our quality of life. And we have an election or two coming up, right? And that's where politics comes in.
A few days ago, I received an email from Mike McLaughlin in response to my last report on the gravel mine, the one where I reported that Kim Yamaguchi was the last holdout in the vote against approving the mine. I got Mike's permission to forward his email on to you, and it is below. After giving it all some consideration, I've decided that I'm going to pin my hopes for the local environmental and water fortunes on Yamaguchi's opposition, Robin Huffman. I'm going to send her a little money. Maybe you want to send a few bucks too, or maybe just words of support.
With your permission, I'll continue sending you these emails, highly personal though they be. Needless to say, let me know right away if you want off my list. I don't want to clutter up your life.
Sincerely,
Maria Phillips
*****************
Below is McLaughlin's email. Feel free to contact him directly. I'm copying him on this email so you can pick up his address from there: Maria: thanks for the review. In regard to Kim Yamaguchi, I am afraid to say I am not surprised at his vote for M&T. I have known him for the eight years he has been in office. He is adamantly on the side of development, which I see as a great problem for the county. It is expected to grow 55% in population in the next decade and a half. To accommodate the growth, there will be development, but the important thing is to maintain a balance between that and agriculture. I fear Kim is not the Supervisor for that. Instead, you might want to take a look at Robin Huffman, a Paradise Town Councilwoman who is running against Kim. Go to her web site, http://www.robinhuffman.com/. you will see that among other things she wants to encourage the agricultural economy. she comes from a midwest farming family. She also wants to protect the Green Line. But she needs help, in terms of backing and financial support. I'm looking forward to having that coffee with you. Mike
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Call for Yosemite Valley Volunteers
By Suzanne Sharrock
Le Conte Memorial Lodge Committee, Volunteer Chair
The LeConte Memorial Lodge is a 104-year-old museum, library and visitor center operated by the Sierra Club in Yosemite National Park. We are looking for Sierra Club members interested in volunteering for one or two weeks between May 1 and September 28th. Hours of operation are from 10 am - 4 pm, Weds.-Sun, and 8 - 10 pm for weekend evening programs.
Volunteers enjoy free entrance to Yosemite National Park and free camping at the group campsite during the time they volunteer. For more information visit http://www.sierraclub.org/education/leconte/volunteering.asp or contact Bonnie Gisel, the LeConte Lodge curator, at leconte.curator@sierraclub.org or (209) 403-6676 (before May 1). After May 1 call (209) 372-4542.
Le Conte Memorial Lodge Committee, Volunteer Chair
The LeConte Memorial Lodge is a 104-year-old museum, library and visitor center operated by the Sierra Club in Yosemite National Park. We are looking for Sierra Club members interested in volunteering for one or two weeks between May 1 and September 28th. Hours of operation are from 10 am - 4 pm, Weds.-Sun, and 8 - 10 pm for weekend evening programs.
Volunteers enjoy free entrance to Yosemite National Park and free camping at the group campsite during the time they volunteer. For more information visit http://www.sierraclub.org/education/leconte/volunteering.asp or contact Bonnie Gisel, the LeConte Lodge curator, at leconte.curator@sierraclub.org or (209) 403-6676 (before May 1). After May 1 call (209) 372-4542.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
M & T Mine Resolution
By Maria Phillips
Dear Friends,
I'm attaching a pdf of the resolution the Supervisors voted on today. I've never been inspired to send you all one of these documents before, but this one is really a keeper. I won't try to tell you what it says except that it lists very clearly all the reasons why this project was not going to fly and couldn't be approved. And that's why we all need to keep it somewhere. I have printed it out on sort of distinctive paper so it will be hard to lose, and I'll keep the electronic file also. This will be an excellent place to start if the project ever rears its ugly head again--and I suspect it will.
So here's my report: The ceremony was blessedly short and sweet. Jane Dolan moved and Maureen Kirk seconded the motion to accept the resolution as written. All in favor say "aye"--and four of them did. All opposed? "Nay" intoned one of them....guess who? The answer is upside down on page 7. Hah! No, of course not. It was none other than Kim Yamaguchi.
And there you go. Once again, in less than 5 minutes we were out of there. I saw no one in the
audience from Baldwin or M&T--but then again, there may have been someone there.
Representing us appellants , Lila and Frank Prentice, Cathy Cottle, Roger Beadle, and a couple of others whose names I don't know. Of course, Roger Aylworth was there with his little notebook. So we'll read about our quiet moment of resolution tomorrow in the ER.
I shouldn't feel so elated, maybe, but I do! One thing I've learned in the past few years is to enjoy the good times fully while there is possibility for enjoyment. Another thing I've learned is that there are many good and generous people out there, people of good will who care a lot about the public good and who are willing to extend themselves to ensure it. You on this short email list are among those people--I can't believe how many of you sort of materialized, like an epiphany here and there, genies out of a bottle, and you lent so much energy! The last couple of you to get on board--you know who you are--where would we be today if we hadn't sort of stumbled upon you? I hate to think. And I think it took all we gave it to get to the anticlimactic moment today.
Today it was 4:1 instead of 3:2, though, so we're getting closer to sanity. I'd like to think that come the fall, we might pick up at least one other Supervisor who would ensure than in a project of this magnitude the vote would be unanimous.
Love to all, Maria
Dear Friends,
I'm attaching a pdf of the resolution the Supervisors voted on today. I've never been inspired to send you all one of these documents before, but this one is really a keeper. I won't try to tell you what it says except that it lists very clearly all the reasons why this project was not going to fly and couldn't be approved. And that's why we all need to keep it somewhere. I have printed it out on sort of distinctive paper so it will be hard to lose, and I'll keep the electronic file also. This will be an excellent place to start if the project ever rears its ugly head again--and I suspect it will.
So here's my report: The ceremony was blessedly short and sweet. Jane Dolan moved and Maureen Kirk seconded the motion to accept the resolution as written. All in favor say "aye"--and four of them did. All opposed? "Nay" intoned one of them....guess who? The answer is upside down on page 7. Hah! No, of course not. It was none other than Kim Yamaguchi.
And there you go. Once again, in less than 5 minutes we were out of there. I saw no one in the
audience from Baldwin or M&T--but then again, there may have been someone there.
Representing us appellants , Lila and Frank Prentice, Cathy Cottle, Roger Beadle, and a couple of others whose names I don't know. Of course, Roger Aylworth was there with his little notebook. So we'll read about our quiet moment of resolution tomorrow in the ER.
I shouldn't feel so elated, maybe, but I do! One thing I've learned in the past few years is to enjoy the good times fully while there is possibility for enjoyment. Another thing I've learned is that there are many good and generous people out there, people of good will who care a lot about the public good and who are willing to extend themselves to ensure it. You on this short email list are among those people--I can't believe how many of you sort of materialized, like an epiphany here and there, genies out of a bottle, and you lent so much energy! The last couple of you to get on board--you know who you are--where would we be today if we hadn't sort of stumbled upon you? I hate to think. And I think it took all we gave it to get to the anticlimactic moment today.
Today it was 4:1 instead of 3:2, though, so we're getting closer to sanity. I'd like to think that come the fall, we might pick up at least one other Supervisor who would ensure than in a project of this magnitude the vote would be unanimous.
Love to all, Maria
Meet the Troika
By Olivia Diaz
In November, after hearing Ernie’s announcement that he was resigning as Chair effective December 31, a sub group of the CTL Committee met. This group drafted three committed members: Diane Boyer, Olivia Diaz and Liz Wise, to form a “Troika” of three co-chairs to provide future leadership. In January, the recommendation of the CTL Committee was approved by the Outdoor Activities Governance Committee (OAGC).
Diane Boyer has been coming to CTL for the past 20 years and has been active on the CTL Committee for over 5 years, serving as Secretary. She was formerly an Outings Leader and Napa Group Outings Chair and has spent many volunteer hours working on revitalization of Hutchinson Lodge with her husband, Wally Juchert. Diane brings many years of business experience including management, administrative, financial and negotiating skills to the Troika.
Olivia Diaz’ affair with CTL dates back to the 80’s with her future husband. Since moving to northern California in 2000 they have taken advantage of the Sierra and spent their first few Thanksgiving and Christmas days as guests of the Lodge. Since 2005, she and husband Ernie Malamud have been active in the CTL Committee. Olivia is Publicity Team leader and has co-led the Summer Fund Raisers since they began them in 2005. Olivia was previously a rehabilitation counselor in Los Angeles. and then executive director of a science museum in Illinois.
Liz Wise’s affiliation with the Clair Tappaan Lodge stems back to 1991 when she embarked on a school field trip with a group of 5th grade students from Marin County. When her second set of children developed a love of skiing and snow boarding, they became regulars at the lodge. In addition to teaching at Waldorf schools and taking children out on many, many camping trips and hikes in the woods, Liz has an extensive background in business administration, management and finance.
Diane, Olivia and Liz have been working together since early December to distribute the work among them that Ernie did as Chair of the Committee. Liz will be the liaison to the OAGC and to the CTL Staff. Diane will be liaison with the Board and Dave Simon and will continue as Secretary. Olivia will continue as leader of the Publicity Team and will oversee functioning of the overall committee to ensure the Troika is not ignoring issues that need attention. Together they will work to bring CTL to a break-even budget by the Sierra Club’s deadline of September 30, 2008.
In addition to overseeing the volunteers who are researching aspects of improving the south pathway, the Troika has worked on finalizing a draft of By Laws that reflect how the CTL Committee has been functioning in the past year. That draft is under review by the CTL committee and will be discussed at its next phone conference.
The Troika also has drafted a proposal to the FinCom to use an investment of approximately $40,000 the FinCom has offered to help increase occupancy.
In November, after hearing Ernie’s announcement that he was resigning as Chair effective December 31, a sub group of the CTL Committee met. This group drafted three committed members: Diane Boyer, Olivia Diaz and Liz Wise, to form a “Troika” of three co-chairs to provide future leadership. In January, the recommendation of the CTL Committee was approved by the Outdoor Activities Governance Committee (OAGC).
Diane Boyer has been coming to CTL for the past 20 years and has been active on the CTL Committee for over 5 years, serving as Secretary. She was formerly an Outings Leader and Napa Group Outings Chair and has spent many volunteer hours working on revitalization of Hutchinson Lodge with her husband, Wally Juchert. Diane brings many years of business experience including management, administrative, financial and negotiating skills to the Troika.
Olivia Diaz’ affair with CTL dates back to the 80’s with her future husband. Since moving to northern California in 2000 they have taken advantage of the Sierra and spent their first few Thanksgiving and Christmas days as guests of the Lodge. Since 2005, she and husband Ernie Malamud have been active in the CTL Committee. Olivia is Publicity Team leader and has co-led the Summer Fund Raisers since they began them in 2005. Olivia was previously a rehabilitation counselor in Los Angeles. and then executive director of a science museum in Illinois.
Liz Wise’s affiliation with the Clair Tappaan Lodge stems back to 1991 when she embarked on a school field trip with a group of 5th grade students from Marin County. When her second set of children developed a love of skiing and snow boarding, they became regulars at the lodge. In addition to teaching at Waldorf schools and taking children out on many, many camping trips and hikes in the woods, Liz has an extensive background in business administration, management and finance.
Diane, Olivia and Liz have been working together since early December to distribute the work among them that Ernie did as Chair of the Committee. Liz will be the liaison to the OAGC and to the CTL Staff. Diane will be liaison with the Board and Dave Simon and will continue as Secretary. Olivia will continue as leader of the Publicity Team and will oversee functioning of the overall committee to ensure the Troika is not ignoring issues that need attention. Together they will work to bring CTL to a break-even budget by the Sierra Club’s deadline of September 30, 2008.
In addition to overseeing the volunteers who are researching aspects of improving the south pathway, the Troika has worked on finalizing a draft of By Laws that reflect how the CTL Committee has been functioning in the past year. That draft is under review by the CTL committee and will be discussed at its next phone conference.
The Troika also has drafted a proposal to the FinCom to use an investment of approximately $40,000 the FinCom has offered to help increase occupancy.
Big Changes in the Clair Tappaan Lodge Committee (CTL Com)
By Olivia Diaz
July 2006 marked the beginning of Ernie Malamud’s term as Chair of the CTL Com. He assumed direction of the Committee at a time when the Clair Tappaan Lodge (CTL) was under threat of being sold by the Sierra Club because of continuing large annual deficits. At the end of his first half year, the deficit was $106,000.
Ernie aggressively built the CTL Committee from its previous small membership to its present membership of thirty-eight. The focus moved from CTL’s traditional role simply as a “snow lodge” to a year-round lodge with opportunities for educational programming for school children. The new members of the CTL Committee have been marketing and pursuing all possibilities they could to increase occupancy, including making small improvements to make moving around the lodge easier, and making Hutchinson Lodge safe and warmer with a more appealing and functional kitchen.
After a year and a half of Ernie’s leadership, the 2007 budget was $60,000 short, the lowest deficit in over 10 years
Three bold initiatives in the direction of the paradigm shift of “snow lodge to all-year lodge” are bearing fruit in the drive to make CTL break even by the Board of Directors’ deadline of September 30, 2008. The appeal to schools to bring their students for environmental education, recreation and science programs continues to grow. A new relationship was established with Elder Hostel and while the initial offerings faltered, the three 2008 summer inter-generational programs are filling up. We entered into a contract with the Global Distribution system (GDS) to get CTL mentioned on hundreds of web sites that offer lodging in the Lake Tahoe area. Bookings from that source are promising.
The Lodge has announced an Outings program and is recruiting Outings Leaders to become certified CTL Outings Leaders to supplement CTL staff’s weekly outings. Staff is currently leading snow outings - snowshoe, cross country and backcountry ski tours. A full moon snowshoe trek is scheduled on March 21. For details, see the web site at http://ctl.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/contact.asp. With the series of huge winter storms hitting the Sierra, our CTL Lodge is showing that, while it is beautiful all year long and has other uses, it still is a great place to experience the snow.
Last year Ernie spearheaded the Committee to produce a comprehensive and professionally produced Five-Year Strategic Plan, which was published in August 2007. A few copies are still available at $22.50.
At its November 10 quarterly meeting, the CTL Committee started to implement the steps outlined in the Strategic Plan by setting priorities. They agreed that the highest priority for increasing occupancy was to improve the path to the South entrance. A group of committee members has been researching various possibilities that would make the approach less intimidating to guests. Each possibility must be researched for financial data to help us decide the next step. The committee could use help in this phase and also later when we begin to make the changes to improve the pathway. We will need general and construction volunteers, donated supplies and loaned equipment. Will you help us?
At the end of that meeting, Ernie announced his resignation as the Chair effective at the end of 2007 to turn his attention to other professional commitments. The CTL Committee proposed three long-time supporters Diane Boyer, Olivia Diaz and Liz Wise, acting together, to take over the functions of leading the committee. Please see the article introducing the three new members of the Troika.
July 2006 marked the beginning of Ernie Malamud’s term as Chair of the CTL Com. He assumed direction of the Committee at a time when the Clair Tappaan Lodge (CTL) was under threat of being sold by the Sierra Club because of continuing large annual deficits. At the end of his first half year, the deficit was $106,000.
Ernie aggressively built the CTL Committee from its previous small membership to its present membership of thirty-eight. The focus moved from CTL’s traditional role simply as a “snow lodge” to a year-round lodge with opportunities for educational programming for school children. The new members of the CTL Committee have been marketing and pursuing all possibilities they could to increase occupancy, including making small improvements to make moving around the lodge easier, and making Hutchinson Lodge safe and warmer with a more appealing and functional kitchen.
After a year and a half of Ernie’s leadership, the 2007 budget was $60,000 short, the lowest deficit in over 10 years
Three bold initiatives in the direction of the paradigm shift of “snow lodge to all-year lodge” are bearing fruit in the drive to make CTL break even by the Board of Directors’ deadline of September 30, 2008. The appeal to schools to bring their students for environmental education, recreation and science programs continues to grow. A new relationship was established with Elder Hostel and while the initial offerings faltered, the three 2008 summer inter-generational programs are filling up. We entered into a contract with the Global Distribution system (GDS) to get CTL mentioned on hundreds of web sites that offer lodging in the Lake Tahoe area. Bookings from that source are promising.
The Lodge has announced an Outings program and is recruiting Outings Leaders to become certified CTL Outings Leaders to supplement CTL staff’s weekly outings. Staff is currently leading snow outings - snowshoe, cross country and backcountry ski tours. A full moon snowshoe trek is scheduled on March 21. For details, see the web site at http://ctl.sierraclub.org/outings/lodges/ctl/contact.asp. With the series of huge winter storms hitting the Sierra, our CTL Lodge is showing that, while it is beautiful all year long and has other uses, it still is a great place to experience the snow.
Last year Ernie spearheaded the Committee to produce a comprehensive and professionally produced Five-Year Strategic Plan, which was published in August 2007. A few copies are still available at $22.50.
At its November 10 quarterly meeting, the CTL Committee started to implement the steps outlined in the Strategic Plan by setting priorities. They agreed that the highest priority for increasing occupancy was to improve the path to the South entrance. A group of committee members has been researching various possibilities that would make the approach less intimidating to guests. Each possibility must be researched for financial data to help us decide the next step. The committee could use help in this phase and also later when we begin to make the changes to improve the pathway. We will need general and construction volunteers, donated supplies and loaned equipment. Will you help us?
At the end of that meeting, Ernie announced his resignation as the Chair effective at the end of 2007 to turn his attention to other professional commitments. The CTL Committee proposed three long-time supporters Diane Boyer, Olivia Diaz and Liz Wise, acting together, to take over the functions of leading the committee. Please see the article introducing the three new members of the Troika.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
More letters are needed asking for National Forest road closures!
Dear conservationists,
I just emailed the following letter to the Forest Service (using my real name and primary email address, of course); and I encourage other Yahi Group members to write letters supporting my comments.
Also, I have discovered that any site-specific comments previously sent to Plumas National Forest, regarding their OHV route designation process, should be re-sent soon, as their biologist has just joined their ID team; and my previous comments, asking that user-created roads in major deer herd migration routes be denied, were ignored.
02-10-08
David C. Erwin
District Recreation Officer
P.O. Box 767
Chester, CA 96020-0767
cc: Lassen National Forest Supervisor Kathleen Morse
Dear Mr. Erwin,
Please accept this addition to my comments on the High Lakes OHV Area Management Plan. I just discovered that the primarily Off-Highway-Vehicle-user's group Friends Of The High Lakes is now encouraging members to write again and ask that Soda Ridge be kept open to motorcycles, after I suggested just the opposite in a compromise proposal to their leaders' insistence that all temporary road closures in the High Lakes area should be repealed.
As the Yahi Group Sierra Club outreach coordinator for the National Forest Route Designation Process I was sponsored by one of their leaders to join FOTHL and organize a Yahi Group trail maintenance crew for the High Lakes area. I joined but suggested that due to the excessive damage cause by OHVs creating multiple routes into Saddle Lake, perhaps the Yahi Group would be willing to adopt that lake and attempt to repair the damage, if that area were kept closed to vehicles.
I also suggested that the lower end of the 614 route through the west end of Reese Flat be kept closed to vehicles (it doesn't currently connect to the 610) to protect the goshawk nesting area I confirmed is there.
Both FOTHL leaders I have been in email contact with replied that they want all temporarily closed roads in the High Lakes reopened and would prefer we adopt a trail in the Vehicle Prohibited Area.
I told them that depending upon what wildlife surveys show as possible marten migration routes, the Yahi Group might be willing to compromise with FOTHL and ask Lassen National Forest to allow FOTHL another chance at trail monitoring and restoration in the High Lakes if they would agree to back our environmentalist stand, during the Route Designation Process separate from the High Lakes, that along with some user-created roads being considered for adoption into the system some existing system roads be considered for closure.
In my comments on both the High Lakes OHV Area and on the Lassen National Forest Route Designation Process I suggested that the Vehicle Prohibited Area of Chips Creek canyon be extended northward across Soda Ridge to the northern part of the Chips Creek Roadless Area.
That northern section already has a Research Natural Area around Green Island Lake and Saucer Lake, as well as another RNA at the north end of Soda Ridge stretching down to Soda Creek, both of which are mostly pristine habitat for species associated with old growth.
Specifically, I proposed that at least the 501 road (from 25N05 near Lots Lake to 26N74 at the Pacific Crest Trail) be closed, and that the high-clearance 26N74 road along Soda Ridge be closed and decommissioned from 25N15 all the way east to the LNF / PNF boundary east of Indian Springs, so as to reconnect the northern and southern parts of the Chips Creek Roadless Area. Those roads (except for the southern-most part of the 501) are outside of the High Lakes OHV Area shown on your map and even in a different Management Area in the Lassen Forest Plan.
While leading a Yahi Group hike into the area, I have seen a marten on the banks of Soda Creek; and the California Natural Diversity Database shows marten as once documented in the area just east of Indian Springs.
Soda Ridge would be a crucial part of my proposed Quiet Recreation / Wildlife Migration Corridor / Vehicle Prohibited Area expansion roughly paralleling the Pacific Crest Trail all the way from the Hwy 32 (with the adjacent the Cub Creek roadless area and Spotted Owl Habitat Area) to the SOHA along Soda Creek that extends toward Hwy 70.
Am I correct in assuming that wildlife surveys, including for marten, will be completed before the final decision is reached as to which routes in and adjacent to the High Lakes will be designated for vehicle use?
Alarmingly, during an early meeting on the Plumas National Forest Route Designation Process I heard an OHV enthusiast claim that the Chips Creek Roadless Area was already roaded and thus completely bisected because the Indian Springs trail OHV route extends from the Lassen National Forest boundary all the way down to Hwy 70. He said because there is no sign at the Forest Boundary, he could not be cited for driving that route.
I checked for a connection to Hwy 70 while leading a hike along the PCT, and noticed PCT signs on the trail intersection with an old road coming up the hill from the trailer park south of Belden, that crosses the PCT toward the power line clearing that connects to the Indian Springs trail. That road, however, is not even mapped by Plumas National Forest, though it is obviously an old road; and Plumas proposes the area remain a Vehicle Prohibited Area.
26N74 should be closed and decommissioned so that it no longer invites illegal cross-country travel from its remote eastern end. Many years ago when I hiked in on the 501 road along the Chips Creek / Coon Hollow saddle, I found near Poison Spring a 40"-diameter red fir that had fallen across 26N74, thus effectively closing Soda Ridge to vehicles; but apparently that huge log was subsequently cut up and the road reopened, because later on during Route Designation Process scoping, new motorcycle routes were identified in the north part of Soda Ridge, where someone had apparently tried to drive to Saucer Lake from the old logging road there (that had once also been effectively closed by other fallen old trees and new growing trees when I hiked through).
A larger Vehicle Prohibited Area, where not even chainsaws are allowed to be used (similar in management to Wilderness), is needed in that area to alert law-abiding forest users when illegal vehicle routes are being created. Just hearing the noise from a motor emanating from Soda Ridge should be enough reason to notify law enforcement or other Forest Service personnel that citations are needed to keep vehicles from driving where they are no longer allowed. Keeping noise to a minimum should also serve to encourage continuing use by marten and other wildlife, whose migration routes are all too often already fragmented by an excessive road density elsewhere in the Forest.
Please work in cooperation with Plumas National Forest to keep the Indian Springs trail non-motorized on Plumas NF and close and decommission 26N74 to keep that trail non-motorized at least all the way west to the Chips Creek saddle, as you analyze future management of the nearby High Lakes OHV Area and which roads should provide recreational vehicle opportunities.
Sincerely,
Cedarrrock
a Yahi Group conservation activist
I just emailed the following letter to the Forest Service (using my real name and primary email address, of course); and I encourage other Yahi Group members to write letters supporting my comments.
Also, I have discovered that any site-specific comments previously sent to Plumas National Forest, regarding their OHV route designation process, should be re-sent soon, as their biologist has just joined their ID team; and my previous comments, asking that user-created roads in major deer herd migration routes be denied, were ignored.
02-10-08
David C. Erwin
District Recreation Officer
P.O. Box 767
Chester, CA 96020-0767
cc: Lassen National Forest Supervisor Kathleen Morse
Dear Mr. Erwin,
Please accept this addition to my comments on the High Lakes OHV Area Management Plan. I just discovered that the primarily Off-Highway-Vehicle-user's group Friends Of The High Lakes is now encouraging members to write again and ask that Soda Ridge be kept open to motorcycles, after I suggested just the opposite in a compromise proposal to their leaders' insistence that all temporary road closures in the High Lakes area should be repealed.
As the Yahi Group Sierra Club outreach coordinator for the National Forest Route Designation Process I was sponsored by one of their leaders to join FOTHL and organize a Yahi Group trail maintenance crew for the High Lakes area. I joined but suggested that due to the excessive damage cause by OHVs creating multiple routes into Saddle Lake, perhaps the Yahi Group would be willing to adopt that lake and attempt to repair the damage, if that area were kept closed to vehicles.
I also suggested that the lower end of the 614 route through the west end of Reese Flat be kept closed to vehicles (it doesn't currently connect to the 610) to protect the goshawk nesting area I confirmed is there.
Both FOTHL leaders I have been in email contact with replied that they want all temporarily closed roads in the High Lakes reopened and would prefer we adopt a trail in the Vehicle Prohibited Area.
I told them that depending upon what wildlife surveys show as possible marten migration routes, the Yahi Group might be willing to compromise with FOTHL and ask Lassen National Forest to allow FOTHL another chance at trail monitoring and restoration in the High Lakes if they would agree to back our environmentalist stand, during the Route Designation Process separate from the High Lakes, that along with some user-created roads being considered for adoption into the system some existing system roads be considered for closure.
In my comments on both the High Lakes OHV Area and on the Lassen National Forest Route Designation Process I suggested that the Vehicle Prohibited Area of Chips Creek canyon be extended northward across Soda Ridge to the northern part of the Chips Creek Roadless Area.
That northern section already has a Research Natural Area around Green Island Lake and Saucer Lake, as well as another RNA at the north end of Soda Ridge stretching down to Soda Creek, both of which are mostly pristine habitat for species associated with old growth.
Specifically, I proposed that at least the 501 road (from 25N05 near Lots Lake to 26N74 at the Pacific Crest Trail) be closed, and that the high-clearance 26N74 road along Soda Ridge be closed and decommissioned from 25N15 all the way east to the LNF / PNF boundary east of Indian Springs, so as to reconnect the northern and southern parts of the Chips Creek Roadless Area. Those roads (except for the southern-most part of the 501) are outside of the High Lakes OHV Area shown on your map and even in a different Management Area in the Lassen Forest Plan.
While leading a Yahi Group hike into the area, I have seen a marten on the banks of Soda Creek; and the California Natural Diversity Database shows marten as once documented in the area just east of Indian Springs.
Soda Ridge would be a crucial part of my proposed Quiet Recreation / Wildlife Migration Corridor / Vehicle Prohibited Area expansion roughly paralleling the Pacific Crest Trail all the way from the Hwy 32 (with the adjacent the Cub Creek roadless area and Spotted Owl Habitat Area) to the SOHA along Soda Creek that extends toward Hwy 70.
Am I correct in assuming that wildlife surveys, including for marten, will be completed before the final decision is reached as to which routes in and adjacent to the High Lakes will be designated for vehicle use?
Alarmingly, during an early meeting on the Plumas National Forest Route Designation Process I heard an OHV enthusiast claim that the Chips Creek Roadless Area was already roaded and thus completely bisected because the Indian Springs trail OHV route extends from the Lassen National Forest boundary all the way down to Hwy 70. He said because there is no sign at the Forest Boundary, he could not be cited for driving that route.
I checked for a connection to Hwy 70 while leading a hike along the PCT, and noticed PCT signs on the trail intersection with an old road coming up the hill from the trailer park south of Belden, that crosses the PCT toward the power line clearing that connects to the Indian Springs trail. That road, however, is not even mapped by Plumas National Forest, though it is obviously an old road; and Plumas proposes the area remain a Vehicle Prohibited Area.
26N74 should be closed and decommissioned so that it no longer invites illegal cross-country travel from its remote eastern end. Many years ago when I hiked in on the 501 road along the Chips Creek / Coon Hollow saddle, I found near Poison Spring a 40"-diameter red fir that had fallen across 26N74, thus effectively closing Soda Ridge to vehicles; but apparently that huge log was subsequently cut up and the road reopened, because later on during Route Designation Process scoping, new motorcycle routes were identified in the north part of Soda Ridge, where someone had apparently tried to drive to Saucer Lake from the old logging road there (that had once also been effectively closed by other fallen old trees and new growing trees when I hiked through).
A larger Vehicle Prohibited Area, where not even chainsaws are allowed to be used (similar in management to Wilderness), is needed in that area to alert law-abiding forest users when illegal vehicle routes are being created. Just hearing the noise from a motor emanating from Soda Ridge should be enough reason to notify law enforcement or other Forest Service personnel that citations are needed to keep vehicles from driving where they are no longer allowed. Keeping noise to a minimum should also serve to encourage continuing use by marten and other wildlife, whose migration routes are all too often already fragmented by an excessive road density elsewhere in the Forest.
Please work in cooperation with Plumas National Forest to keep the Indian Springs trail non-motorized on Plumas NF and close and decommission 26N74 to keep that trail non-motorized at least all the way west to the Chips Creek saddle, as you analyze future management of the nearby High Lakes OHV Area and which roads should provide recreational vehicle opportunities.
Sincerely,
Cedarrrock
a Yahi Group conservation activist
Friday, February 8, 2008
Paving Paradise
Paradise Tree Ordinance at Town Council on Tuesday Feb. 12. The council meeting starts at 6:00 pm.
The tree ordinance report, Agenda item 7b, is posted online:
http://www.townofparadise.com/town_govt/council_agendas/tc_ag_021208/7b_tree_ord.pdf
The Paradise Town Council will be considering tree ordinance changes on Tuesday evening.
I want the tree ordinance changes to be an improvement for Paradise. To achieve balance, we need to look at our tree ordinance, at our landscaping requirements in the building code, and at our treated wastewater (septic) requirements. I want the town staff to work with the community and look at how to increase the connectivity of these departments so that we can achieve an optimal balance of buildings and trees for the town of Paradise.
The Council will very carefully consider the tree ordinance change proposal on Tuesday evening knowing that septic and landscaping requirements are important factors. The Council will consider public comments.
The trees are part of our lives in Paradise. The community appreciates them.
Consider the tree ordinance changes being proposed. They are posted at the Town of Paradise website. The full text of the agenda item is posted at http://www.townofparadise.com/town_govt/council_agendas/tc_ag_021208/7b_tree_ord.pdf
I appreciate the Yahi group's concern for the environment and involvement in decisions that affect all of us.
Robin Huffman
Paradise Town Councilwoman
Candidate for Butte County Supervisor, 5th District
rafh@pacbell.net
Phone: 877-0672
www.robinhuffman.com
The tree ordinance report, Agenda item 7b, is posted online:
http://www.townofparadise.com/town_govt/council_agendas/tc_ag_021208/7b_tree_ord.pdf
The Paradise Town Council will be considering tree ordinance changes on Tuesday evening.
I want the tree ordinance changes to be an improvement for Paradise. To achieve balance, we need to look at our tree ordinance, at our landscaping requirements in the building code, and at our treated wastewater (septic) requirements. I want the town staff to work with the community and look at how to increase the connectivity of these departments so that we can achieve an optimal balance of buildings and trees for the town of Paradise.
The Council will very carefully consider the tree ordinance change proposal on Tuesday evening knowing that septic and landscaping requirements are important factors. The Council will consider public comments.
The trees are part of our lives in Paradise. The community appreciates them.
Consider the tree ordinance changes being proposed. They are posted at the Town of Paradise website. The full text of the agenda item is posted at http://www.townofparadise.com/town_govt/council_agendas/tc_ag_021208/7b_tree_ord.pdf
I appreciate the Yahi group's concern for the environment and involvement in decisions that affect all of us.
Robin Huffman
Paradise Town Councilwoman
Candidate for Butte County Supervisor, 5th District
rafh@pacbell.net
Phone: 877-0672
www.robinhuffman.com
Sunday, February 3, 2008
NEW YAHI GROUP TRAIL GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE!
35 GREAT HIKES IN AND AROUND BUTTE COUNTY
The Yahi Group's new trail guide is now on sale. The hikes in this book are all within a relatively easy day’s drive of the selected starting point of the Chico Park and Ride (Hwy 99 & Hwy 32). Included are trips to waterfalls, lakes, rugged canyons and gorges, secluded forests, peaks and wildflower-filled meadows. Each hike was selected by long-time trail guides of the Sierra Club Yahi Group.
The book has a mixture of easy to reach, in-town, local trips and more distant treks to wild places. This second edition of the guide has carried forward several hikes from the original guide and added more than 20 new hikes. All proceeds from sale of the book will go to the Sierra Club Yahi Group.
Cost: $10 plus shipping if bought directly
Contact: Alan Mendoza - 530-891-8789 or
amendoza@prodigy.net
The Yahi Group's new trail guide is now on sale. The hikes in this book are all within a relatively easy day’s drive of the selected starting point of the Chico Park and Ride (Hwy 99 & Hwy 32). Included are trips to waterfalls, lakes, rugged canyons and gorges, secluded forests, peaks and wildflower-filled meadows. Each hike was selected by long-time trail guides of the Sierra Club Yahi Group.
The book has a mixture of easy to reach, in-town, local trips and more distant treks to wild places. This second edition of the guide has carried forward several hikes from the original guide and added more than 20 new hikes. All proceeds from sale of the book will go to the Sierra Club Yahi Group.
Cost: $10 plus shipping if bought directly
Contact: Alan Mendoza - 530-891-8789 or
amendoza@prodigy.net
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)