CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE
TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA
Minutes
April 8, 2015
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Rabobank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428
1.0 Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Directors in attendance: Crosby and Laura Swartz, Christine Heinrichs, Bruce Mumper, Amanda Rice. Also attending: Connie Gannon, executive director of Greenspace; Carlos Mendoza, CCSD staff; Mark Miller, Cambria Fire Chief; Julie Jorgenson, landscape architect; Tony Church, NCAC member; Kathe Tanner, reporter for The Cambrian.
2.0 Minutes of Previous Meeting approved as corrected.
3.0 Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reports the treasury has $1,337.39. Rabobank refunded one $10 fee and gave a $200 donation. $350 is remaining from the Cambria Community Council grant. Laura will take taxes to Lynn to submit forms. The Forest Committee does not owe any taxes but is required to to submit documentation. Amanda Rice, who hosts the Forest Committee’s site, may have to increase that charge to reflect an increase to her. She and Christine Heinrichs will meet to update the Forest Committee web site.
4.0 Sub-Committee Reports
4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations
Fire Prevention Meeting Thursday April 9th at the Vets Hall: Laura and Crosby Swartz will represent the Forest Committee with the interpretive sign on display.
Tree Health Tips for Homeowners: Tree health tips can be posted on the web site: mulching a trench around the dripline of the tree and watering there. Keep mulch away from the truck to avoid decay.
We discussed graywater systems to re-use household water. More information is needed. We will search for good sources of information or an app regarding what can be safely used on gardens and landscaping.
Interpretive Sign Location: Laura and Crosby Swartz gave a presentation to FFRP last month but have not been notified of a decision. Carlos Mendoza said the FFRP board took action but would notify the Forest Committee formally.
Weed Abatement Guidelines
Connie Gannon of Greenspace offered a brochure on creating defensible space printed in 2004 illustrated with drawings of the native and invasive plants, to guide homeowners in weed whacking. The brochure will be reproduced and shared online and with the fire department, subject to Ms. Gannon’s determination of copyright. Mark Miller recommends leaving all native plants as ground cover to retain moisture. Director Rice suggested a letter from the Forest Committee would impress absentee owners take notice to care for their vacant lots. Ms. Gannon volunteered Rick Hawley to lead a workshop May 9 on weed whacking, which will be video-taped and posted to the Internet.
Defensible space is the ignition zone 30 feet around the house, the lean and green zone. In the next 70 feet, eliminate ladder fuels, flashy fuels, and, cut back the rest to four inch level. Director Rice will print up a postcard to be distributed at the Emergency Meeting Thursday night directing people to the Forest Committee web site for further information.
Chief Miller prefers that dead trees be taken all the way down to the ground. Greenspace director Gannon prefers that tall stumps be left as habitat. PGE is taking down four dead trees on Greenspace property.
Flushing fire hydrants: Laura Swartz suggested using the water produced by the Emergency Water Project during its summer Tracer Test to flush the fire hydrants. The water could be used to water the area around the hydrants and collected for landscaping. Chief Miller estimates 15-20 of the 420 hydrants in Cambria would need to be flushed.
Kathe Tanner offered support of The Cambian to publicize the problem: Is Your Hydrant Safe? to encourage public support. Using the water will reduce fire danger.
4.2 Forest Management
Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application (Greenhouse Gas): The first grant application has been submitted, with the expectation of a decision in June. The second grant proposal has been given the green light for a full application. Dan Turner can give a report at the next meeting.
Fog Moisture Project Planning: Rick Hawley of Greenspace has built a fog collector on his roof. He will do his own pH testing. Samples can be analyzed in Davis if Dr. Ingraham is unwilling. Ms. Gannon reported that samples being taken in the Santa Lucias indicate ozone levels are rising and particulate matter is arriving from Asia, most likely from coal burning in China.
Emergency Water Project NOP comments: The Forest Committee’s initial comments on the project are still valid and have been updated and submitted to the RBF Consulting. Other agency comments have been posted to Greenspace’s web site.
5.0 New Business
5.1 Comments on New Permit Applications : none affected trees.
Director Rice noted that the North Coast Advisory Plan allows the county to implement a $90 mitigation fee in addition to the permit and inspection fee to remove living trees, to be applied to funding the Forest Management Plan. The Tourism Board is supposed to designate 10 percent of its revenues to environmental issues. This money could be used to hire a forest ecologist. She recommends we lobby the supervisors to collect these fees and spend the money on the Forest Management Plan and a forest ecologist.
Adjournment at 8:50 pm.
