The Lassen County Fire Safe Council (LCFSC) convened in regular session at 6:48 p.m. on September 12, 2011 at the Mariner’s Galley Restaurant, Stones Landing, Eagle Lake. Officers present were Chair Dorine Blankenship, Secretary/Treasurer Cathy Dirden, Managing Director Tom Esgate, Education Coordinator Dan Douglas, and Director Gary Johns. Absent were Vice Chair Jerry Fraticelli and Director Tim Keesey.
I. Opening and Welcome: Dorine welcomed all and asked for introductions around.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Cathy Dirden gave the report.
II. Public Comment: None
III. Managing Director’s Report
Active Projects:
Day Lassen Bench – Tom reported the SNC Final Field Inspection Report was completed for the project. Tom stated he has a couple property owners in the DLB area that are interested in becoming Directors for the Day Lassen Bench Fire Safe Council; Todd Slope and maybe Ted Crum from Little Valley.
Lake Forest – Kelly Holt is finishing up on the project doing the last few homes. The project should be complete by the end of September. We have exceeded the number of acres proposed for the project.
Susanville Fuel Reduction – Two hundred acres are cut and on the ground. Four hundred fifty more acres are to be completed. Tom expects to over achieve on this project as well.
CCPI/SGI – Handwork is completed on the McClelland Ranch. Tubit Enterprises will start chipping on the Ash Valley Ranch. Tom stated the 2011 AVR CCPI is in abeyance until the BLM EA gets clearance. Mapes is complete except for the handwork. Tom is working with Mapes on their 2011 Sage Grouse grant and also with Parks Ranch on a BLM right of way.
New Funded Projects:
Clear Creek – Dan Lang, CFSC is still working through the paperwork on the grant. Funding will be coming in too late to accomplish anything on the ground this season. Work should begin in May 2012. Tom may go in with SNC to double the funding. Tim Keesey talked with Maury Anderson, Director of Planning and Building for Lassen County regarding the CEQA. The County is to be the lead agency. The proposal is due late October. In the meantime, Tom will be working with the CCCSD on property owner sign-ups.
SNC- Ash Valley Ranch – Ready to move forward.
Janesville RAC – Currently waiting to hear from CFSC on 2012 awards.
2011-12 CCPI & Sage Grouse Initiative – Currently waiting on review of NRCS new applications.
Applications/New Potential Projects:
CFSC/Janesville – Nothing to report.
CFSC/Milford – Nothing to report.
CFSC/Little Valley – Nothing to report.
CFSC/New Bieber and Lookout – Nothing to report.
Western Wildland Urban Interface (WWUI) Nubieber and Lookout – Nothing to report
National Forest Foundation (NFF)/Ash Valley Ranch – Not awarded.
Eagles Nest – Tom will meet with Tom Garayoa/ Eagles Nest, Dave Sandborg/USFS, and Mark Pustejovsky/SPI for a field day trip to review the project area.
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project/Diamond Mountain – Nothing to report.
CWPP – Tom stated the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the various agencies expired this year. Tom needs to meet with Jerry Bird/USFS on the creation of a new 5-year MOU.
VI. Education Director’s Report. Dan Douglas gave the following report.
Doyle Days – Dan worked a booth at the event.
Firewise in the Schools Program – The teaching kits have been restocked and delivered to Richmond, Fletcher-Walker, Fort Sage, Long Valley and Diamond View schools for the fall. The remaining schools will be done in the spring. One of the pamphlets is out of print; Dan was able to obtain the electronic version of the Mariposa booklet and will be modifying it for our area.
Newspaper Insert – Dan completed the insert which includes information on an Animal Disaster group out of Chico, and Children and Fire Play. Frank Stewart stated some counties are asking for donations; Butte County is doing a mailing.
Firewise Conference - Dan and Anna Stephens will be presenting the School Program at the upcoming Backyard and Beyond Conference in Denver in October. Frank Stewart stated the CA FSC is taking over the Firewise program in California. Dan Lang will be over our area of the state. Dan is hoping to obtain endorsement of the Firewise in the Classroom program nationwide.
- Agency Updates.
BLM – No report
BLM/Eagle Lake – No report
Cal Fire/Lassen –No report
OES – No report
NE CA Fire Prevention – No report
NRCS – No report
USFS/Eagle Lake – Ann Carlson stated with all the lightening there was only one small fire in the Eagle Lake District; Hat Creek had 7. The fuel moisture is still high but the crews are staged and ready just in case. Dan Sandborg is healing well. The Champs project was in court the last 2 weeks; they can still remove small trees. Ann is trying to rationalize the necessity of removing the larger trees providing more science related to the good of the forest. The Judge is asking questions but the facts get twisted. If nothing is done there will be an increased risk of fire. The dense forests hold higher risk. The Judge took 2 weeks to make his decision which should be given soon. Ann fells the USFS did a good job sticking with the science. Though the case is interesting it has become a jousting match. Ann is hoping for a good outcome. Frank Stewart is concerned with the waste of money in the courts. Too much is lost over haggling with the “ologists” with their stalling. He said it’s very frustrating – if they win, we pay; if they lose, we pay their costs. Ann stated the Cowbell project is discussing the 30” compliance; nothing has been filed yet on the Ebby; and the Campbell is still in the early stages. Meanwhile, they are thinning in the Christy Campground area at Eagle Lake and moving towards Merrill Campground; also thinning along the bike path.
Susanville Fire Department – No report
Susan River Fire District – No report
Quincy Library Group / CA FSC – Frank stated the budget is declining and we’ll see a steep drop in 2015. Counties are discussing reducing work hours. Frank is concerned about the Reauthorization Act having impacts on the County Wildfire Plans. Frank is also concerned with the champs. He stated the pilot project ends next year; we need to consider how to help get work on the landscape for USFS. Frank said there will be a discussion with the regional foresters in Sacramento on October 19th at CAFSC. Discussions will include stewardship contracts. Frank explained the details of the AB1485 bill and encouraged consideration. He stated Lassen is only one of three aggressive FSCs. There will be a Farmers Insurance Workshop in Sacramento on the October 6th at the McClelland Fire Center; a Science/Economics Conference in Sacramento regarding suits.
Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) – No report
VII Other – Secure Rural Schools discussion regarding the House and Senate approaches to re-authorization. Senate requested a spot audit of Title III which has been completed in Washington state.
- Next Meeting: October 3, 2011 at 6:30 pm at the Susanville Fire Protection District Office at 705-145 Highway 395 in Johnstonville.
VIII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.
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