Sierra County Fire Safe And Watershed Council, Inc.

July 29, 2011 Minutes

Roll Call/Introductions:  Board Present-Andrew Winberry, Robert Eshelman, Kathleen Goicoechea, Nancy Finney, Gary Shelton,  and Peter Huebner.  Absent: Laurenc DeVita.  Others present:  Executive Directors,Cindy Noble, Mike Freschi, and CFSC/RAC Board member Frank Stewart.

Public Comment:  Cindy Noble wanted to recognize Ernest Finney’s new book, “Sequoia Gardens”.  A book of short stories, some of which highlight the Northern California area, and leaves  us to wonder where Ernest gets all of his knowledge on such a variety of topics.

Board Member Reports:  Robert will be having simultaneous knee replacements October 4.  He may or may not be available for SCFSWC board duties at that time.  Kathleen wanted to know if the piling of brush and trees seen along highway 49, close to the home tracts and the UCSF facility was private or forest service work.  Cindy believes it is forest  service, however, she will get more information and report back to the board.
Approve Minutes June 24th, 2011:  Peter motioned to approve the minutes, Robert seconded, motion carried.  There were two abstentions.
Approve Agenda July 29th, 2011:   Gary moved to approve Agenda, Peter seconded, motion carried.

Action Items:  
1.  By-Laws Update-Kathleen reported that she had made the revisions approved by the June 24th board:  a)   changing the word “members” to “directors” in all sections of the document.  In Article VI  Meetings Section 6.3, Kathleen took the liberty to change “member” in the second to last sentence to read as “anyone interested in the Council’s stated goals and objectives”, b) Eliminating all the verbiage in Article III Membership Section 3.1 to one sentence: “The Fire Safe and Watershed Council shall welcome supporters from all elements of the community”.  Peter motioned to approve the updated By-laws, Policy and Procedures, seconded by Gary, motion carried.  
2.  Adoption of Sierra County Wildland Urban Interface Map 2011-Board Approval:  All board members were very pleased with the WUI Map.   The map has been expanded to connect previous WUI areas that are obvious risk areas.  Gary suggested checking with the forester to overlay the map with defined high-risk areas based on tons per acre.  Frank suggested giving to the Forest Service and a link to our website for all other relevant agencies.  Gary motioned to adopt the “2011 Annual Base Map” designation, Peter seconded, motion carried.
Discussion Items:
3.  Eastern Sierra Project-Banchio report:  Mastication is 100% complete, hand thinning is done and ready for burning this fall.  Due to the additional receipts from the sale of logs and chips , Dan Lang from CalFire has approved an extended deadline and expansion of the project.  The deadline has been changed to December 31, 2011 with grant approval for an additional 60 acres.
4.  USFS-Reports, Information, and Caltrans Right of Way fuel reduction:  Cindy has had a less than enthusiastic response from the Forest Service to begin the Sierra City to Goodyear’s Bar project.  Caltrans permit is good until December 31, 2011;  Caltrans is on record to provide traffic control;  there is a Categorical Exclusion meaning no significant impact from National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA); no equipment is involved, it will be all hand work; there is RAC funding and Frank reported there were no conflicting Forest Service Healthy Forest Restoration Act ( HFRA) projects at this time.  Frank suggested we contact Dennis Stevens who has replaced the retired Arnold Olsen, and meet with all Forest Service individuals at the next Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, August 2, 2011.
5.  Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)-Mike and Cindy will be working on the text for the plan while they wait for a Verdi Municipal Service Review to be completed before Fire District 1 can annex that area.
6.  Board of Supervisors-Title III request from SCFSWC:  Gary motioned to request 25K for two years from County Title III funds for a total of 50k.  Robert seconded the motion, motion carried.  For clarification Title II funds are Forest Service dollars whereas Title III are County dollars.  
7.  Sierra Water Work Group-Andrew Winberry:  The Integrated Regional Water Management Plan, otherwise known as “I really want money please,” and other county groups have not been successful in their bid to the Department of Water Resources for projects.  A scathing letter was sent to the DWR by a coalition of groups stating the difficulty of going through the acceptance process under Proposition 84 and to request an easing of the application process.  The Sierra Nevada communities are at a disadvantage due to the lack of expertise in-house and lack of funding to contract professionals to complete the application.  The coalition workgroup is headed by Liz Mansfield.  
8.  DOC Watershed Coordinator Position:  The position is up on the SCFSWC website, and in the local newspapers.  Other entities such as the Feather River College and Coordinate Resource Management Plan group will also be notified.  The first DOC workshop for the coordinator is September 15, so Mike would like the position filled by September 1.
Informational Items:
9.  Frank Stewart-QLG, California Fire Safe Council:  QLG funding will not be available after the end of 2012.  Frank reported that the Arizona fires would not have been as severe if there had been shaded fuel breaks using the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.  The California Fire Safe Council stated a $150 property  fee will be charged on every habitable structure.  Frank believes this action will be challenged in court.
10.  Application to CFS for Western Sierra Project – July 5th 2011:   At the last meeting Mike reported Sierra County would have 77k to go towards the 50% match requirement  on the CFS application.   The 77k was received many years ago from Bureau of Land Management to complete the project.   The application was denied based on the fact that federal funds cannot be matched with federal funds.   Since the Council does not have the requisite match, Mike and Cindy will not apply again to CFS but instead pursue the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Prop 84 funds for hazard fuel reduction.   Jim Branham is the contact for a share of the 5 million dollar grant.  
Adjourn:
Andrew motioned to adjourn at 11:50 a.m., seconded by Robert, motion carried.  The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 26, 2011