Sierra County Fire Safe and Watershed Council

Minutes February 26, 2010

Roll Call/Introductions: Board Present: Nancy Finney, Gary Shelton, Kathleen Goicoechea, Laurenc De Vita, and Robert Eshleman. Others: Interim Directors, Mike Freschi, and Cindy Noble, Vallea Rose, Richard DeVore, Ernest Finney, Anne Eldred, Danielle Banchio, Quentin Youngblood, Stan Hannahs, Mike Delasaux, Jan Buck, Jim Turner, Frank Stewart, Andrew Winberry, Jim Defanbaugh, Kim Ingram and Lynn Campbell.

Public Comment/Board Member Reports: Frank Stewart reported and encouraged comments for the 2,600 acre USFS Saddle Project which is in the 60-day public comment period ending March 8, 2010. He also said the SCFSWC could go to the State Wide Fire Plan on the CDF web site for comments.

Approve Minutes of January 29, 2010: Gary motioned to approve, Larry seconded, motion passed.

Approve Agenda February 26, 2010: Gary moved to approve the agenda with item 5, Kim Ingram presentation, moved to be item 1 on the agenda, Larry seconded the motion, motion passed.

I. Kim Ingram, representing the UC AG & Natural Resources SNAMP provided hand-outs to her presentation. SNAMP (Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project), with a team of scientist, a 25,000 acre Last Chance plot divided into SPLATS (Strategically Placed Area Treatments) will study fire suppression activities over the next 7 years and how these treatments affect fire behavior, wildlife, forest health and water. Wildlife focuses primarily on fisher and spotted owl. Since there were only 2 spotted owls in the study area, the area was expanded to include El Dorado. Results and information will be shared with the Forest Service as the data becomes available over the next 7 years.

II. Cindy Noble attended a 3-day Wildfire Management Conference at McClellan AFB. The conference was divided into Pre-management, Post-management, and group discussions.

III. Mike and Cindy updated the group on the outreach to Verdi residents with Community Wildfire Protection Plans. A Municipal Service Review is necessary before going forward with the proposed annexation to the Sierra County Fire Protection District 1.

IV. The USFS mapping for the SCFSWC is within 1 to 2 weeks of completion. The maps will also show Watershed and Aspen restoration activities.

V. The committee to research biomass densification/transportation provided links to websites. Larry has looked into trucks powered by biomass which would dramatically reduce cost of transportation, and reduce the carbon footprint. Balers to reduce material can be towed to the sites. In Larry’s opinion chipping is expensive, dangerous, and logistically difficult.

VI. Jim Turner reported that they are working with Sierra Solid Waste to put drop bins in various locations to store material. SPI will pay for the freighting. However, to avoid a couch or other non-desirable biomass, spotting bins, outreach through letters, newpapers and flyers are necessary noting specific dates in the spring, summer and fall for pick-up and transport. Green weight can return $9.60 to $20 per ton, depending on the density of the material. Eight to ten foot logs can be placed in the bins for chipping and grinding at the mill. Robert motioned, Larry seconded, motion passed to move Item 11 on the agenda up to item 6. Vallea Rose, President of the Sierra Brooks Home Owner’s Association would like bins at the Lodge parking lot, the old pump house and campground. She expressed interest in the House Numbers for sale by SCFSWC for $10. Elderly assistance and RAC Title II funding will be applied for to defray the cost of assisting with the elderly chipping. Quentin from the USFS reported the contract for Loyalton Pines has been awarded and work will begin April 1, 2010. Private Property owners have been contacted to hopefully dovetail into the Loyalton Pines project.

VII. Danielle reported applying for a 196,000 grant to treat 140 acres between Sierra City and Downieville. Most are small lot sizes and the acreage is mostly on the south slopes. The project will be hand work due to the steepness of the slopes. Notification for grant approval is June 14^th. CalTrans members of Yuba Ranger District will be doing work also but not included in the grant.

VIII. The Eastern Sierra County Community Fire Protection Project which includes Calpine and Sierra City has received an Environmental Compliance request from the BLM. Since this is private land Frank stated, CEQA should apply not NEPA. He suggested that filing a title III exemption letter signed by the Register Professional Forester. Danielle reported the archeology survey is in the process, it will go out to bid in late Spring or Summer and most of the work will be hand, non-commercial treatment.

IX. Elections to the SCFSWC board were conducted through e-mail. Elected are Nancy Finney, President, Gary Shelton, Vice President, Kathleen Goicoechea, Secretary/Treasurer until the regular Bylaw elections held in the fall. Mike Delasaux suggested having the elected board members names and phone numbers on every posted agenda.

X. The Citizens Advisory Committee was discussed, Bob and Jean Myles, and Tom Archer were three people mentioned as having interest. A committee would be wise stated Larry, for grant reasons, transparency, and valuable input. Members of the SCFSWC will be the advisory committee for now until it is felt that a more formal structure is beneficial. Lynn Campbell, Sierra Nevada Conservancy commented that NV County Fire Safe Council uses advisory committees for special projects.

XI. Covered under Item 1

XII. SCFSWC Mission and Goals for 2010 were reviewed and discussed. Larry motioned to approve with small corrections such as delineating EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and spelling biomass without a hyphen, Robert seconded, so moved.

XIII. Adjournment: Gary motion to adjourn to closed session proceedings at 12:10 p.m., Nancy seconded, motion passed.