SIERRA COUNTY FIRE SAFE AND WATERSHED COUNCIL
Minutes, January 21, 2011
Roll Call/Introductions:  Board Present:  Nancy Finney, Andrew Winberry, Peter Huebner, Robert Eshelman, Kathleen Goicoechea, Laurenc DeVita.  Absent: Gary Shelton .  Others Present:  Cindy Noble, Mike Freschi, Ruby Burks, Danielle Banchio, and Frank Stewart.

Public Comment:  Frank reported on stewardship contracts and collaborative workshops as part of The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Initiative.  SNC uses Title III funds to compensate for a funding coordinator.  There are 22 counties involved with 18 counties having a paid coordinator.  Secure Rural Schools and Roads funding may not be re-authorized, and all the work will fall back on volunteers.
Congressman Herger is sponsoring legislation for stewardship contracts to extend beyond 10 years for forest reserve revenue.
Ruby Burks gave an update on winter pile burning in Loyalton Pines area and other ARRA project sites.   Winter burning is slow due to number of air quality days and the piles are not fully cured, resulting in half burned piles.

 
Approve Minutes December 3, 2010- Peter motioned to approve, seconded by Laurenc, motion passed.
Approve Agenda January 21, 2011- Laurenc motioned to approve, seconded by Peter, motion passed.

1.  Board Member Reports-Robert was charged with investigating stewardship contracts by the council.  He presented an informational trifold produced by the USDA and the USFS outlining the goals of stewardship contracting: 1) improve, maintain, and restore forest and rangeland health 2) restore/maintain water quality; 3) improve fish/wildlife habitat;  4)  re-establish native plant species and increase their resilience; and 5) reduce hazardous fuel. More information can be found on their web site:  www.fs.fed.us/forestmanagement/projects/steardship/index.shtml

2.  Staff Reports-
a.    Sierra Nevada Conservancy application status- Mike reported that the matching funds to proceed with the application have been secured through the county using 2001 grant funds in the amount of $77,638.48  The details need to be worked out, however, it is a perfect fit to re-apply for the Sierra City, Downieville, and Goodyear’s Bar project.
b.    California Department of Conservation application status-Notification for the grant should be by the end of January.
c.    California Fire Safe Council grant re-submission-application is due April 1, and Danielle reports the bulk of the work is already done.
d.    CWPP update-Cindy and Mike met in Downieville, with JoAnne Fites, Arnold Olson, Steve Folsom and Travis Thane, and believe a draft of the CWPP map will be available at the next meeting.  Cindy and Mike will also meet with the fire chiefs of Pike and Alleghany to further review, refine and update the current fire plans for those areas.