CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE
TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA
November 11, 2020 6:30 PM
Zoom.com Video Teleconference
Chair Crosby Swartz called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. A Quorum was established by attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Julie Jorgenson, Paul Nugent and Christine Heinrichs. Greenspace representative Bob Fountain and CSD liaison Harry Farmer also attended. Bob Fountain was approved as a Forest Committee director by acclamation.
Public and Director Comments: Christine Heinrichs reviewed the comments made by Coastal Commission members regarding the Settimi construction permit, at 2:37 on the video, https://cal-span.org/unipage/?site=cal-span&owner=CCC&date=2020-11-06. The CSD’s relationship with Coastal is being affected by the district approving new permit applications without proof of additional available water.
The Minutes of the October meeting were approved with some amendments.
Laura Swartz’s Treasurer’s Report showed a balance of $697.60, after directors contributed for insurance. One outstanding check for $20 to the Secretary of State for the biannual filing will bring the balance to $677.60. Thanks to all directors who donated.
Sub-Committee Reports
Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations
Christine Heinrichs gave a report on Carbon Neutral Cambria to NCAC.
Crosby Swartz recommended the Age of Nature series on PBS. The series could be the focus of a future Forest Committee program.
Transfer of Development Credits / Lodge Hill Restoration Program: No progress on compiling the relevant documents.
The CambriaCa Newsletter published a meeting advance.
Forest Management
Site Visits – Village Lane Project: The work was finished, removing dead and hazardous trees, invasive weeds, broom, pampas grass and a small amount of Cape Ivy. County Fire Safe Council contracted the work under a PG&E grant, but no project description or permit was made available to the Forest Committee. Mitigation for Monterey Pine trees removed, as required by law, was not addressed. Bob Fountain said that Greenspace has not been contacted for replacement trees in more than three years. Crosby and Laura Swartz attend the Fire Safe Focus Group meetings and encourage others to attend. They will follow up with FSC business manager Dan Turner. Although the project was carried out well, the lack of review of the project description and permit is troubling.
Report from Fire Safe Focus Group: The meeting was postponed to Wednesday, November 18.
New Business
Officer Elections: Crosby distributed the slate of proposed officers via email. Christine will move from secretary to vice chair. Paul Nugent will take over as secretary. The slate was unanimously approved.
Unfinished Business
Discussion of Forest Manager Tasks and Qualifications: Members discussed involving FFRP, Greenspace and the CSD in identifying the qualities and requirements needed for a Forest Manager/Ecologist. Local professionals such as Williams Horticulture (diseases and treatments) and McCormick’s Tree (certified arborist) may be able to provide needed expertise.
An ecological approach to managing Cambria’s Monterey Pine forest, considering fire safety, wildlife habitat and watershed protection, is preferable to approaching the forest from a lumber production perspective. Community support is important as well as ability to work with government agencies such as Cal Fire.
Forest Committee directors will research appropriate forestry and ecologist qualifications for candidates.
Public and Director Comments: Discussion of whether to hold a December meeting. Decision deferred.
Harry Farmer expressed his gratitude for the community’s support in re-electing him with the highest vote total ever in Cambria’s recent election. He hopes the changes in the CSD board augers well for better relationships with the Coastal Commission and other agencies.
Crosby Swartz said that the supporting documents presented to the CSD regarding the cost of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station were incomplete. The CSD board approved the project.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm.
Next Meeting December 9, 2020
