The Lassen County Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan Annual Meeting convened in 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Susanville Interagency Fire Center, 1491 Fifth Street, Susanville.
Attendees: Tom Esgate, Managing Director Lassen County Fire Safe Council (LCFSC), LCFSC, Secretary/Treasurer Cathy Dirden and Education Coordinator Dan Douglas; Supervisor Bob Pyle; USFS/Eagle Lake, Dave Ramirez, Priscilla Peterson, Michael Holmes, Dustan Mueller, Dale Newby; USFS/Plumas, Courtney Wood, Heather Munn, Don Fregulia; USFS/Modoc, Laurence Crabtree, Boyd Turner, Jim Miguel; BLM/Modoc, Albert Savage, Chris Blode; BLM/Lassen, Karl Todd; Cal Fire, Dale Meese, Ivan Houser; Sierra Co FSC, Cindy Noble; Plumas Co FSC, Jerry Hurly; Phil Nemir, RPF; Frank Stewart, QLG/CA FSC; Mark Pustejovsky and Mike Mitzel, SPI.
Welcome and Introductions: Tom Esgate welcomed the group and asked for introductions.
Opening Comments: Bob Pyle, Lassen County Supervisor welcomed the group, stating he has worked with Tom Esgate and the FSC in various areas of the County and hopes the FSC continues to get the needed funding to continue the work.
Process for 2011:
- Input for Narrative – Tom encouraged the agencies to provide a one page narrative which, in case of appeal, the judges have direction.
- WUI Map – Tom stated the WUI maps will be posted on the FSC website. Heather Munn/USFS Plumas requested that the SE portion of the County be included as there are several clusters of homes in the area close to Hallelujah Junction at Hwy 70 and Hwy 395 and heading south on Hwy 70. Frank Stewart asked if the GIS map can be printed to indicate the private and public lands. Tom stated that it could. Frank recommended a breakdown of non-agency work done in the WUI. Tom stated he would mail out a one time MOU.
- Base Map – Tom stated the Base Map is to be used as a follow-up after the meeting. He stated that Priscilla Peterson has shape files of all the proposals.
- Work Posting/Shape File Submittals – Tom stated the deadline for receipt of shape files, proposed and past treatment info is March 1, 2011. He plans to have the final 2011 CWPP completed by April 1, 2011.will make a final call for all shape files on Mar
- Project Submittal Forms – Tom asked if anyone had suggestions for improvement of the Form. It was suggested that the area for the map be expanded. Cathy will send out an updated copy.
- Ranking of Priorities – The agencies did not feel it necessary to have their projects ranked by the group.
Reports from Working Group
- BLM Alturas Field Office – Albert Savage gave a review of projects submitted: Knox Mountain, Mitchell Hill, South Mitchell Hill, South Ash Valley, Johns Valley RX, Stipa Harter RX, Cold Springs, Widow Peak, and Williams Ranch.
- BLM Eagle Lake Field Office – Karl Todd gave a review of projects submitted – Stones/Bengard, North Eagle Lake/South Kleghorn, North Horse Lake, South Grasshopper, Dodge, Fredonyer, Diamond Mountain, and Bald Hill.
- USFS/Lassen – Dave Ramirez gave a review of projects submitted: Crater Mountain, Signal Mountain, Grays Flat, North Diamond Mountain, Willow DFPZ, Polydent, Cole Mountain, Cowbell, Ebby. Frank Stewart commented that Ebby and Cowbell had objections filed against the projects.
Dale Newby USFS/Hat Creek gave a review of projects submitted: East Side, Fall River, and cooperative project with 3– 4 other agencies..
- Lassen County Fire Safe Council, Inc.
- Educational Activities – Dan Douglas – Plant Guide was produced this past year (agencies can received copies if desired); Newspaper insert –2011 will focus on grassland / brush land survivability; 6rh Grade Classroom project – digitized the program and UC Davis wants to observe (hopes to get it out to other counties possibly statewide); Wildfire Simulator – portable unit simulates different conditions. Leah Sandberg/CalFire in charge of loaning for education/other events.
- Firewise Communities – Certified Stones, Day Lassen Bench, Janesville, Susanville, Lake Forest, Clear Creek. Doyle and Milford are next. Vision is to have all along the major County corridors.
- Risk Assessment Training Opportunities – plans to bring the program locally for a regional training event – 2-day class, cost to be determined; pre-fire season – could be used to train agencies. It focuses on fire survivability, structural ignitability. Dan will send out a follow-up to the agencies.
- Project Submittal – Clear Creek – awaiting the grant agreement; expect it early spring; Doyle – new project – not funded – will focus on structural ignitability and a fuel break to remove brush. Diamond Mountain – to complement the Eagle Lake Ranger District on private land in the Susanville Fuel Reduction project area. Janesville – outstanding needs that couldn’t be covered under last season’s funding; will continue with property owners that signed up during the 2010 season. Lake Forest – completed the mastication; will start up in the spring and completing in September 2011. Little Valley – same as last year; Milford – working with Plumas FS on a timber project and Firewise Community certification. Susanville Fuel Reduction – currently funded; will complete in 2012. Day Lassen Bench – $60,000 left of Sierra Nevada Conservancy funding. Spalding –Risk Assessment in the Home Ignition Zone and 40 acres. Ash Valley II – project next to Modoc Forest with a couple landowners. Ash Valley Watershed Restoration Project – 8900 acres against 9,000 acres requested for RAC, SNC, and NRCS. Biomass is part of the contractor’s bid. Contractor takes ownership of the biomass; FSC gets a lower per acre cost and can do more on the ground. CCPI – project with NRCS – continuing juniper project. Grasshopper ties into South Knob – sage grouse habitat restoration; McBride Springs – trying for another project. Madeline watershed / sage grouse habitat restoration
- USFS/Modoc –Lawrence Crabtree – concerned with no functional sawmills in the area. Competing for funds for restoration – 18 projects. Ash Valley area and Willow Creek along the highway
- USFS/Plumas – Don Fregulia gave a review of projects submitted: Cradle Valley with the Rancheria. Other project in the area but not near Lassen.
- CalFire – Ivan Houser gave a review of projects submitted: Hog Flat Hwy 44, fuel reduction with SPI and private landowners to cooperate along County access roads to protect homes. Private timber harvest around Westwood with private industry. Mount Lassen Power is no longer receiving chips. Work has slowed down.
- Susanville Indian Rancheria – Cradle Valley project
- SPI – Mark Pustejovsky – no stand alone projects. Cooperating on others with Hog Flat, Lake Forest, and Clear Creek. Struggling to find places to take fuel. Possibility of Collins Pines in Chester.
- NRCS – no report
- Collins Pine – no report
- Fruit Growers – no report
- W.M. Beaty – no report
- USFWS – no report
- SNC Quincy Library Group/CAFSC – Frank Stewart advised that it is the last year of the Secure Rural Schools Title III. He stated the SNC is setting aside funds for coordination; Prop 84 funding is down to $20 million for grants this year; $10 million of SNC funding left. Need the additional funds to keep going. Frank is writing a letter to ask for $3 million to fund the FSCs. If Title III is reauthorized, there may not be funding to cover the county FSC’s administration. Asked for a letter of support or resolution. A 1–2 day Stewardship training is in the works. CA FSC – Bruce Turbeville retirement event is February 8th in Sacramento.
- Phil Nemir gave information on his Honey Lake RCD project in the Baxter Creek/Elysian Valley area.
Discussion on Ranking – Tom suggested the following ranking for FSC projects:
- Janesville Fuel Reduction
- Milford Fuel Reduction
- Doyle Fuel Reduction
- Little Valley Fuel Reduction
- Landscape projects
Other – Karl Todd asked what was submitted through the Clearinghouse. Tom stated Janesville, Little Valley, Milford and Doyle.
Jerry Hurley/Plumas Co FSC commented on the professionalism of the Plant Guide. He plans to have a similar process in Plumas for the CWPP; wants to work with Priscilla Peterson/USFS Lassen on the GIS mapping.
Cindy Noble/ Sierra Co FSC commended the group.
Bob Pyle – the CWPP process works great.
Adjourn 2:45 pm
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