March 7, 2011
The Lassen County Fire Safe Council (LCFSC) convened in regular session at 6:30 p.m. on March 7, 2011 at the Susan River Fire Protection District Office, 705-145 Highway 395 in Susanville. Officers present were Chair Dorine Blankenship, Secretary/Treasurer Cathy Dirden, Education Coordinator Dan Douglas, and Managing Director Tom Esgate. Absent were Vice Chair Jerry Fraticelli, Directors Gary Johns, Tim Keesey, and Ray Nielsen.
I. Opening and Welcome: Dorine welcomed all and asked for introductions around.
Treasurer’s Report: Cathy Dirden gave the Treasurer’s Report.
II. Public Comment: None.
III. Managing Director’s Report. Active Projects:
Stones Landing – Tom stated that Dan Douglas, Education Director would discuss during his Committee update.
Day Lassen Bench – Tom explained he is working to identify landowners for treatments to use up the remaining $60,000 in SNC project funds.
South Knob Projects –Shut down due to conditions.
Clear Creek – Awaiting the WUI grant agreement; should receive before May.
Lake Forest and Susanville Fuel Reduction (SFR & SFR-WWUI) – The projects are shut down for the season; we will begin working with landowners in April.
CCPI – One project by Hayden Hill (Swickard); 2 in Ash Valley/Grasshopper; 9,000 acres have been completed with another 1,000 to do.
CSI/Conservative Innovative Grant (CIG) Project – work is continuing.
New Funded Projects:
SNC/AVR – A $148,000 grant was awarded for juniper reduction on the Ash Valley Ranch. $250,000 was requested. We are the only FSC receiving SNC funding this season.
Janesville RAC – The Forest Supervisor signed off on a $100,000 RAC grant for Janesville for 2011/12.
Pit RCD – The RAC project was extended through 2011/12.
New Potential Projects:
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project/Diamond Mountain – No report.
Title III Funding – The Board of Supervisors will hold their final hearing on the FSC request for funding. We hope to be able to continue our work. Tom briefed the group on the status of the Secure Rural Schools reauthorization. There is talk about combining the Title II and III funding. This is an issue since not all projects Title III qualify for Title II funds. In order to qualify the projects have to have national forest benefits. Tim Holabird stated he will talk with the folks in Washington DC. Title III is county funds, Title II is federal funds. Title III can be used as matching funds, Title II cannot. The administration’s plan is to phase out the Title III funding. The Council discussed the status of the co-gen plants in Westwood, Burney and Bieber.
Tom stated the RAC funded a grant for the Susanville Indian Rancheria for a $25,000 two year project for the elderly and disabled.
On March 22nd there will be a funding presentation and assistance program for loan programs. Linda Hanson with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) and others with the USDA will be present to assist.
VI. Education Director’s Report.
Stones Landing/House Numbering Project – Dan stated Leah Sandberg/Modoc is checking with Valley View on different products for installation of the signs; and Cal Fire camp for production of the signs. Dan stated he will be posting the mounting ideas on the website. Also to be posted are project maps, agendas and minutes, etc.
Education in the Schools – Dan stated the printing of the supplies is complete; they are stocking the kits for delivery to the schools.
Science Fair – Dan stated the Board of Directors approved a$100 savings bond as an award to be given by the FSC at the Science Fair this month.
Home and Garden Show – the FSC will sponsor a booth at the Show on Saturday, April 30th. He is purchasing a set of illustrations to be added to the Wildfire Simulator that will be demonstrated.
CWPP Project – Dan said the Education program will now be a part of the CWPP.
Modoc Fire Prevention Expo – Jim Miguel is putting together the Expo for May 14th and 15th. The Lassen, Shasta, and Modoc FSC’s, Firewise National, and many other agencies will be represented. Dan passed out copies of the fliers.
Other related items – The FSC purchased a canopy for outside events such as Doyle Days, Rails to Trails, and the Home and Garden Show. The Sierra FSC is planning to do the School Program.
- Agency Updates:
BLM/Modoc – Jerry Wheeler stated they are waiting for things to dry out so they can burn. The Environmental Assessment is being circulated for the Ash Valley project.
BLM/Eagle Lake – No report
Cal Fire/Lassen – Jim Barry reported that there are many staffing changes taking place; Joe Waterman retired but is back assisting at the Camp; new Ops Chiefs, Jeff Young, Donna McCain, Shawn Dellacort, and Brian Laine; 3 Chief positions are remaining open for salary savings; Chip Jackson’s retired and Dave Jenacee replaced him as the Emergency Coordinator. He will be working on the WUI and evacuation plans for the west end of Janesville and the Lake Forest area. Jim stated they are short staffed. They will have a Lassen County Wildland exercise on May 14th. The new Unit Fire Plan should be done soon. Dale Meise/Quincy will be working on the Janesville fuel break widening effort which is a maintenance project now in the planning stage for spring.
NE CA Fire Prevention – Heather Munn said she, along with Karl Todd, Dave Sandborg, and Leah Sandberg will be doing school programs in March and April. They are looking at pricing on the folding-flyers for specific topics to be distributed in specific locations. Heather stated the Plumas has up to $1000 in funding they can use to assist us with distribution of educational materials. Dorine stated the FSC has been holding approximately $325 in an account for the NECAFPC; they may want to use the funds to repaint the Smokey Bear Park.
USFS/Plumas – Heather said they are pretty much snowed in.
NRCS – No report
USFS/Modoc – No report
USFS/Lassen – Ann Carlson stated the comments came back on the Cowbell project; they are now looking at alternatives. They will be reviewing the comments and the project. They have been receiving letters of support regarding the upper diameter limit of trees. She stated its being reviewed. The comment period will open up when the draft comes out. She encouraged commenting. The Champs litigation sent supplements out for comments; it will be announced in the paper Tuesday. She stated the comments should focus on the supplemental only. Letters went out today. The Ebby Decision notice is pending. She stated the process is taking longer due to the staff shortage situation. Ann stated the RAC projects have been selected. Each project will get a project manager assigned to report back to the RAC. The SIR Seniors/Disabled Project areas must be linked to Forest Service or WUI areas only.
On March 30th UC Davis Extension will be in town, maybe at the Elks Lodge, to speak on the results of the different types of fire on landscapes and what was learned.
Ann said they will have a “Fire Hire” in Sacramento where the various Forest reps will review the various applications received through USA Jobs. They are hoping to fill 3 positions.
Susanville Fire Department – No report
Susan River Fire District – No report
Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) – No report
VII Other – Tom stated the CFSC grant application deadline has been pushed out to June; that includes the Janesville, Milford/Doyle applications.
- Next Meeting: The next General Meeting will be Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm at the Susan River Fire Protection District Office at 705-145 Highway 395.
VIII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.
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