SIERRA COUNTY FIRE SAFE AND WATERSHED COUNCIL, INC.
Minutes May 27, 2011

ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS:  Board present:  Andrew Winberry, Robert Eshelman, Peter Huebner, Nancy Finney, and Kathleen Goicoechea.  Absent:  Laurenc DeVita, and Gary Shelton.  Others present: Directors Mike Freschi and Cindy Noble, Ernest Finney, Lee Brown, Frank Stewart and Randy Westmoreland.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  
Frank reported the ninth circuit court of appeals has upheld the 2004 standards for the Forest Service $5,000,000 QLG grant, paving the way to get the planned projects off the ground.  A field trip has been planned for Perazzo meadows July 26, 9:00 a.m. Meet and park at the Sierraville Ranger Station.
Lee Brown from the Office of Emergency Service reported the “Reverse 911 System” will be tested enmasse.  Log on to the Sierra County Website to log yourself onto the system if you are a Voice Over Internet Provider user.  The system is set up to text and e-mail also.

APPROVE MINUTES APRIL 1ST 2011:  Minutes were unavailable to review, Mike will e-mail to the board.
APPROVE AGENDA MAY 27TH 2011:  Peter moved to approve, seconded by Robert, motion passed.

1.  USFS-Presentation by Randy Westmoreland regarding the Carman Valley Watershed Project:  Randy presented the board with a draft map of the Carman Creek Restoration Analysis dated 2006, before and after pictures from 8/9/1999, cost estimates for Phase II of the Carman Creek Watershed Restoration, and  a proposal of need, action and decision overview.  The planning has been done, but the project needs funding, permitting and wetland delineation before it can move forward.   The National Environmental Protection Act and California Environmental Quality Act reports were signed off in 2008 by the Forest Service.  Randy contends that the water rights will not be effected since it is a seasonal creek and non-adjudicated.  Randy would like to partner with the council and other watershed entities to apply for the various grants to begin work on the project.  The council suggested contacting Brian Morris with the IRWMP to help with ideas and foster support.  Peter motioned to direct staff to work with the Forest Service, Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District, Upper Feather River Watershed Group and any other irrigated land regulatory program coalition to secure grant funding on Sierra County sites, 1, 2, and 3 of the Carmen Creek Phase II Project.  Robert seconded the motion, motion passed.

2.  Board Member Reports-Bylaws Update, Policies & Procedures:  A draft copy of the by-laws was passed out to the board members.  Questions for the board were in red text for review and input.  The Butte County Fire Safe Council has authorized the SCFSWC to use their policies and procedures as a model.  Mike will review and edit where necessary, and incorporate certain elements into the by-laws.  The drafts will be ready for the board at the June 2011 meeting.

3.  Biomass Projects-chips:  SPI is still not taking chips so chipping for the Eastern Sierra County Fuel Reduction Project has been trucked to Honey Lake.  The volume of chips was too much to broadcast on the ground, plus revenue received from the chips can be used to treat more acreage within the project area.

4.  Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) update-Fire Departments. The WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) maps have been completed and sent to the County Fire Departments for input.  With the exception of Loyalton, all fire chiefs have responded. Everyone who sees the map is very impressed with detail and looking forward to using maps for the updated Sierra County Fire Safe Plan.  

5.  Staff reports-
a.  Reflective Signs- 97 signs have been sold.  Council recommended a media blitz for a free 100th sign.  However, after the meeting more signs were ordered, so that milestone is probably already met.  Every new construction must have a visible address before a final will be issued by the County Building Department.

b. RAC Title II funding- Steve Folsom, a supervisor with the California Transportation Department has been a great resource to the SCFSWC Council to begin the process for right-of-way clearing of Hwy 49.  Funding is available now so Council would like to get something started this year.

c.  Watershed Coordinator Grant-The acceptance of the grant must be postmarked May 27, 2011 to encumber the funds.  Resolution 2011-01:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Sierra County Fire Safe and Watershed Council, Inc. hereby authorizes the execution of the s010 Watershed Coordinator Grant Agreement with The California Department of Conservation – Division of Land Resource Protection, Grant Number: 3010-230
Adopted by the Board of Directors of the Sierra County Fire Safe And Watershed Council, Inc. on the 27th day of May, 2011.  
 Robert motioned to accept the resolution, Peter seconded the motion, motion passed and   Chairperson Nancy Finney signed.            
    Mike will be responsible for the position description, recruitment, and evaluation of the coordinator.

  d.  Eastern Sierra County Fuel Reduction Project-Logging the 100 acre LDS parcel is 95% complete.  It has been too wet to work, however, the deadline to finish is June 10, when the camp re-opens for the summer.  75 acres of Willow Road is done and complements the previous clear cut.  There has been mastication off Hwy 89 where a sign will be placed to notify the public of our efforts.  Since the work has been done, other property owners have signed on.  The Amodei property will be next and a 1.6 acre piece on Randolph Hill.

6. Upper Feather River Integrated Regional Watershed Management Discussion-Andrew reported that the Tahoe/Sierra Regional Plan had been rejected by the Department of Water Resources.  This is unfortunate because the application was 50 pages long and required experts in the fields of legal, financial, engineering and research to answer the required questions.  The rejected application had several projects, one of which was from the Upper Feather River Irrigated Lands Coalition. He suggested less projects, more focus, re-ranking the priorities, more defined projects and emulating other entities who were accepted, before reapplying for the grants.  Prop 84 bond funding is for the Clean Water Act and a $1,000,000 match is available.

The next meeting will be Friday, June 24, 2011, 10: a.m. at the Sierraville Ranger Station.
Peter motioned to adjourn at 11:50 a.m. seconded by Robert, motion passed.