Cambria Forest Committee February 14, 2025 meeting summary
February 14 2025 Harry Farmer report
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Crosby Swartz at 10:03 AM. Also in attendance are Treasurer Laura Swartz, Board member Julie Jorgensen, Greenspace Vice President Donni Morgan, California Native Plant Society local representative Neil Havlik, Rancho Marino Project Manager Keith Seydel, Upper Salinas Las Tablas Resource Conservation District Program Director Spencer Gordon, CCSD General Manager Matt McElhenie, Cambria Fire Chief Michael Burkey, NCAC Chairperson Christina Galloway, CCSD Board Director and PROS Chair Michael Thomas, Christine Heinrichs, Dennis Dudzik, and CCSD Board Director and CFC liaison Harry Farmer.
Under Public and Director comments, Michael Thomas informed us that beginning next Wednesday, February 19th, his hardy FFRP group of volunteers will switch from Fiscalini Ranch trails work to weed pulling, which will continue throughout the summer. New volunteers are always welcome and appreciated.
Regarding Minutes of the January meeting. Crosby encouraged folks to read the summary provided by Director Farmer in the 2/13/25 CCSD Agenda Packet.
Laura Swartz then provided her Treasurer’s Report. The recent period began with $2943.70 in the Forest Committee bank account. However, several expenses took place in the past four weeks, beginning with the Cambria PO Box rental of $210, followed by the annual fee to the CA Secretary of State. CFC also purchased a table to be used at the Greenspace Earth Day activities on Sunday, April 27th at the Creekside Reserve. Always a lot of fun!! And finally, the excellent updated Cambria Weed Guide has been printed and ready for sale and distribution. Payment for the printing services to ASAP Reprographics totaled $1445.31 for 150 copies. Many thanks are in order to Christine Heinrichs for her colorful photos and very descriptive text, plus the hundreds of hours she has devoted to this most valuable project, as well as the able assistance provided by Crosby and Laura Swartz. Great job, two thumbs up!!
Under Organizational Reports, CNPS representative Neil Havlik stated he had nothing regarding Cambria to report. He said much of the Society’s energy remains involved with the very large and controversial Dana Reserve development in Nipomo. He also commented on US-LT RCD projects in San Simeon and Cambria. With David Pierson, President of the Cambria Fire Safe Focus Group not available, Michael Thomas had nothing to report on the recent or upcoming FSFG meeting.
Greenspace Vice President Donni Morgan was delighted to announce the weather would be perfect for this coming Sunday’s magical Chinese New Year Cal Poly Lion Dancing event rescheduled from February 16th would be taking place at the Creekside Reserve on Center St from 2-3PM. Also happening will be a rich and engaging presentation by former GS President John Seed on the history of the Chinese Temple on site, restored to all its previous glory by Greenspace. Donni also reported the recent GS Annual Planning Retreat was quite successful. And while it was determined that not much trail work would initially be occurring in Strawberry Canyon, the project remains a top priority for the organization and will be expanded upon in the near future.
Regarding Rancho Marino, Keith Seydel stated that the burn piles on the many acres of RM would be addressed in the near future. Spencer Gordon from the US-LT RCD, who will also be overseeing the project, was happy to elaborate that permitting had been obtained to do the burning, and this would take place weather permitting. There are 450 burn piles on the Rancho that will be lit once rain is taking place. When asked how the piles will be burned while it’s raining, Spencer stated that the piles are covered in wax paper so they are actually dry in the center, and will ignite and burn whether dry or wet weather. Also, in following up on a concern by Laura expressed at a previous meeting regarding the availability of respirators to community members when fire takes place and smoke becomes a health threat, Spencer said he’s spoken to the SLO County Air Pollution Control District on the matter, and would be sending a list of various products available to Crosby and Laura.
Spencer then further addressed the various Project Specific Analysis endeavors on the horizon being dealt with in conjunction with the California Coastal Commission that will be discussed at the June RCD meeting. He added that these projects were being funded by a Fire Safe Grant funded by the SLO County Fire Safe Council. He then elaborated by saying the entire coastal zone is under the jurisdiction of the US-LT RCD, from Cayucos to the Monterey County line and five miles inland. In responding to a question from Ms Morgan as to who provides these monies, State or Federal Agencies, Spencer said these projects were essentially State funded.
Under New Business, a vigorous discussion then took place as to CCSD Agenda Item 8.E. discussed at the Thursday, February 13th Board meeting considering updating the District Municipal Code regarding Weed Abatement Standards. Due to vague and overly board definition of “Weeds” and other concerns in the proposed Ordinance, the item was tabled to the March 13th Board meeting, while also being referred to the newly formed Fire Protection Standing Committee to discuss at their first ever meeting on Thursday, February 20th. This very significant Ordinance that lacks some clarity at this time gives enforcement authority to the District. An observation was made by Crosby that treatment standards need to be the same for developed and undeveloped lots. Laura stated she was all in favor of public safety in this area, but that enforcement needs to be, “reasonable in all directions”, adding that the potential impact we humans make, such as barbecues and fire places, should be included. Crosby observed it appears Cal Fire has not attended to all of their duties in this area, while CCSD seems to have done so.
Christina Galloway then asked if other communities have developed an ordinance such as this. She also questioned Spencer as to the various types of lots, to which he recommended Christina attend a Fire Safe Focus Group meeting to hopefully obtain this information. Crosby added that Cal Fire defines Defensible Space, while the CCSD also provides guidelines in their Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program.
At this point an article was referenced which emphasized removing invasive, non native plants that are flammable. Julie Jorgensen observed that if too much clearing is done in the name of fuel reduction, it’s usually only the invasive plants that return. Christine Heinrichs suggested the best options are to cut off the flowers from the Pride of Madera that quickly go to seed, as well as removing the spikes from Pampas Grass that spread seeds everywhere. Crosby expressed the effectiveness of, “taking the long term perspective”, such as pulling weeds before they go to seed, as well as trimming off the seeds from French Broom before they bloom. Julie spoke to the real problems presented by thistle, especially as it’s become much more abundant in recent years. Laura added to the value of replacing invasive plants with native grasses. Harry Farmer suggested an effective way of dealing with Broom is to pull up the seedlings by the roots after the rain when the ground is damp.
Ms Galloway then asked for further comments on CCSD Ordinances and Cal Fire regulations. Crosby replied it was helpful to use the current Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction guidelines in the proposed new Ordinance that currently only apply to undeveloped lots. He further emphasized the importance of home hardening in the process of preventing fire, and that without doing so efforts at the removal of invasive plants and weeds would overall not be that effective or useful. Ms Heinrichs then again emphasized the importance of cutting back Pampas Grass and removing the blooms from Pride of Madera, and this was a “problem of public education” regarding “removing flammable weeds”
At this point Cambria Fire Chief Michael Burkey, calling in from his vehicle, affirmed the need to revise the proposed Weed Abatement Ordinance. He added that while the District, “now has the authority to enforce defensible space, it is not our intention to ‘moonscape’ Cambria”, and that “a heathy forest needs fire”. He added his Department is working with Cal Fire regarding defensible space. Both Crosby and Laura Swartz expressed concern regarding private property rights and dealing with weed abating, and finding a “middle road”. Chief Burkey emphasized the importance and goal of keeping all residents of Cambria and the community safe. Crosby added that hopefully the new Fire Protection Standing Committee would be able to fully engage with the issues of Fire Protection in Cambria.
Ms Jorgensen then brought up her concerns regarding adopting “Red Flag Parking” as was done after the Oakland fire of 1991, where parked vehicles prevented fire trucks from getting through on narrow roads, which would be “a recipe for disaster”. Mr Farmer stated there were narrow roads in Cambria that have signs posted saying, “Fire Lane No Parking”.
Circling back to the new edition of the Cambria “Invasive Weed Guide”, a discussion led to making the Weed Guide available to the Wednesday weeder volunteers on the Ranch, as well as providing them for sale at the Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve office on Main St. The much welcomed $15 donation will essentially go to the reprinting of the Guide. There is also a portion of the Weed Guide targeted for younger audiences for viewing at the kiosk at the Cambria Historical Museum. Crosby added that, “lessons learned from the Wednesday Weeders” Ranch volunteers added to the quality of the Weed Guide.
Michael Thomas then stated that on Thursday, February 20th, at 10:30AM, the newly formed Fire Protection Standing Committee would be meeting and addressing the proposed Ordinance regarding Weed Abatement Standards. Crosby and Laura intend to be present via Zoom. Christina G added she’d like to meet with Crosby and Laura to more understand the nature of forest health, the idea of various types of lots, and so forth.
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Swartz at 11:11AM.
The next Cambria Forest Committee meeting will be on March 14th, 2025 at 10AM via Zoom.
This summary written and submitted by CCSD Board Director and CFC liaison Harry Farmer.
