Cambria Forest Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2010
Rabobank Meeting Room
1070 Main St. Cambria, Calif.
Directors Present: Brad Seek, Rob Trask, Crosby Swartz, Laura Swartz, Kathe , Mark Miller, Amanda Rice, Bill Schassberger, Tim O’Keefe, Rick Hawley.
Guests Present: Bruce Gibson, Bob Putney, Alan Peters, Kathe Tanner.
1.0 Meeting called to order 6:03pm
2.0 April 14th minutes approved Schassberger/Trask Unan.
3.0 Treasurer’s Rpt. There is currently $2452.04 in the bank account
4.0 Sub Committee Rpts. Information/Action
4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation
Dir. Hawley held workshops on April 27th but no contract workers showed up(Lot Clearing). Dir. Miller(Fire Chief) believes that all the workers have already received training. Dir. Schassberger emphasized the before and after photos taken on cleared lots will indicate whether the workers are being trained.
PG&E Mitigation: Dir. Rice C. Aispero to look into whether PG&E applied for a permit. Dir. Hawley contacted Lynn Cullen(PG&E). The utility will have to mitigate for 300 trees($7500) and would like to work with CFC to help implement the mitigation. CFC will accept the $7500 from PG&E to mitigate the 300 trees(Schassberger/O’Keefe)unanimous. Art Trinidade (Co. Code Enf.) will be contacted on how the money can be spent to satisfy the mitigation compliance.
Survey Costs: Dir. Hawley received a bid from an appraiser of $5000 to survey a 4.5 ac. Parcel proposed for open space.
Suitable Lots for planting: Dir. Rathbun and Mr. Clift not present for the update.
4H involvement: Mr. Covell not present for the update.
4.2 Forest Mgt.Plan/ Sup. Bruce Gibson
Dir. Hawley suggested that an implemented Forest Management Plan could be funded by forming an independent district, a district associated with CCSD, or a CSA
Mr. Gibson stated that he has supported districts and will in the future. Gibson further stated that a district may function better if it is aligned with an existing agency such as the CCSD. The CCSD could be the agency that processes the requirements of Prop. 218. He pointed out that special districts run the risk of becoming inadequately managed, staffed, and/or financed.
Mr. Gibson asked about the area to be covered by the district, the goals of the FMP, the public benefit, funding, and district responsibilities.
Dir. Hawley stated that a district would probably cover the Urban Reserve Line (URL). The URL would then be divided into management units with an emphasis on those units that require the greatest need. Other parts of the forest that are owned privately could also be included.
Dir. Hawley stated that the goal of a Forest Management District(FMD) would be the sustainability and regeneration of the forest, addressing hazardous trees, managing fuel load….The public benefit would include: managing wildlife, reducing fire hazards(resulting in affordable property insurance) maintaining a healthy forest which could improve property values….
Mr. Gibson emphasized the reduction of fire hazards as clearly being a public benefit and may be a good organizing principle in which to justify a district and to work cooperatively with the CCSD.
Dirs. Schassberger, Hawley, and Trask stated that an FMD could relieve County Code Enforcement responsibilities pertaining to the Cambria forest. Also, an FMD could take on more of the fuel reduction responsibilities currently being done by Cambria Fire.
Dir. Hawley emphasized the need for a professional Forester/ecologist to implement this program.
Mr. Gibson pointed out the City of San Luis Obispo’s Natural Resources Management section as a possible model for the FMD. Other models are possible but all would have to adhere to state statutes.
Mr. Gibson would ask County Council to review and comment on a drafted model of the FMD assuming that they had the authority to do so.
Dir. Hawley suggested that and FMD would have a sunset provision which would allow the public to decide whether or not to continue the program after a few years.
4.3 Annual Lot Clearing
Dir. Miller passed around the time frame schedule. The number of lots to be addressed for 2010 is 1852. 15 lots merged with improved properties and will be under Cal Fire jurisdiction. Capt. Bitto will be getting out more to make sure parcels are being flagged and that before and after photos are being taken.
5.0 New Business
Dir. Miller stated that the proposal to remove fallen trees on the Fiscalini Ranch using a Masticator was dropped. Dir. Trask asked to review this proposal using another piece of equipment that would have less impact such as a spider. The area could be small enough to qualify as a test plot. Dir. Miller stated that this could be looked at during the next funding cycle (December/January). Mr. Peters stated that a demonstration project from a private contractor might be a possibility in the interim. Dir. Hawley stated that PG&E might have money available to fund the demo.
Dir. O’Keefe announced that UC extension will be holding a demonstration using wildlife trail cameras on 5/25 at 8am in San Miguel(Miller ranch).
6.0 Dir. L. Swartz contacted Co. Public Works to attend a meeting that could put some of the Fern Cyn area on the list for undergrounding power lines. This area should qualify as a special circumstance.
Dir. Schassberger contacted Art Trinidade re: having a tree removed without a permit and is not hazardous to a structure. He was advised that the Sheriff should be called and photograph the tree(s) in question as evidence.
Dir. Miller stated that the Eucalyptus removal project was canceled.
7.0 Meeting adjourned. 8:12pmTrask/Seek
Next scheduled meeting at the Rabobank June 9, 2010 6pm.
Respectfully submitted by Brad Seek
