Minutes December 2015

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes December 2015

December 9, 2015, 6:30 PM, Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

A quorum of directors was present, with  Crosby and Laura Swartz, Vari MacNeil, Connie Gannon, Julie Jorgenson, JoEllen Butler, Alan Peters, Christine Heinrichs attending. About 20 community members also attended to hear speaker  Daniel Bohlman, Conservation Director, The Land Conservancy of SLO. Dylan Theobold, stewardship manager for the Land Conservancy, also attended. He is the person who drives a black Jeep when he comes to Cambria to maintain the Land Conservancy’s properties.

Mr. Bohlman explained the Conservancy’s function and goals. It is the nonprofit agency that is required for government agencies to operate the Transfer Development Credit Ordinance. The Land Conservancy sells TDCs to property owners to allow them to exceed county development standards when they build on their lots. That money is then used to purchase undeveloped lots and retire them from development, protecting them permanently. The Land Conservancy’s role is to then turn ownership and management of the lots over to the Cambria Community Services District. In 2011, the CSD refused to accept the lots from the Land Conservancy, effectively ending the program. The Land Conservancy continues to maintain the 55 lots it held when the CSD declined to accept its role in the process. It cannot accept additional lots until the CSD or some other agency is able to take over their maintenance.

“The TDC program should be and could be going on still,” Bohlman said. “I hope this is the first of many conversations we have in Cambria to find a way to move forward.”

Crosby Swartz thanked the speaker and allowed the audience to speak with him individually for a few minutes before convening the business meeting. Most of the audience left at that time.

Approval of minutes of the previous meeting was deferred to January to revise the grant section.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported that the account balance is $1051.60, $190 of which remains of the Cambria Community Council grant for the interpretive sign. The Forest Committee is looking for a location to place one additional sign. The bill for the post office box is anticipated, around $100.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Website Hosting Change: The web site host will be changed as soon as necessary passwords can be ascertained from Amanda Rice.

Post Tree Removal Letter on Website: additional explanatory information is needed to help the public understand how to use the complaint letter.

Historical Society Kiosk: Additional material is needed to display in the kiosk. Julie Jorgenson offered her husband Tom’s photographs of the forest.

Forest Management

Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Implementation (Greenhouse Gas): Alan Peters reported that a co-generation plant may be used to gassify dead wood into electricity, a carbon-negative process. They are exploring the possibilities of a lease agreement with Covell Ranch and Tim Windsor to locate a temporary sawmill to convert dead trees to lumber. Producing products may place the project under the legal status of the Forest Practice Act, which would make it exempt from permitting requirements of the Coastal Act and CEQA. It would have to meet different environmental standards, including biological surveys as specified in that law, but be a faster process because of not having to meet 30-day comment periods.

“It’s more stringent in many ways,” he said. “The goal will be no significant impacts. It’s a different pathway.”

     Western States Forestry Grant Status: Alan Peters explained that each of the 16 states in the alliance rates its projects, which are then funded. Cambria’s project is rated first in California and funding is anticipated in 2016.

CDP Permit for CCSD Tree Removal Status: JoEllen Butler reported that Fiscalini Ranch will submit its permit application this week. They have removed a total of 190 trees, 160 from the ranch and the rest from behind the sewage treatment plant. The permit will be reviewed by NCAC’s Land Use Committee.

Fire Safe Focus Group will not meet in December.

New Business

Recommendations to NCAC on New Permit Applications: Mary Webb reported that the Anderson permit application for an addition on Adams Street will remove one oak tree. Crosby Swartz has not yet received that application.

Unfinished Business

Homeowner brochure: Vari MacNeil presented the one-page summary she created for homeowners to inform them of required tree policies and how to fulfill them as property owners. That will be circulated among directors and discussed in January.

Agenda Items for Next Month: Crosby asks that all agenda items be submitted to him for inclusion on the agenda.

Adjourned at 8:53 pm.

Next Meeting January 13, 2016

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Minutes November 2015

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes November 2015

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Meeting Minutes

November 11, 2015,  6:30 PM

Greenspace Office, 4251 Bridge St., Cambria, CA

Attending: Bruce Mumper, Crosby and Laura Swartz, Connie Gannon, Christine Heinrichs comprised a quorum. George Kendall; Laurel Stewart and Tony Church of NCAC; Nancy Anderson of Greenspace and Beautify Cambria also attended.

Ask the Experts Question and Answer: Local farmer George Kendall  reported on the sediment basin he constructed on his property, about 2.5 miles up Santa Rosa Creek Road.. He constructed it about 500 feet from Santa Rosa Creek, 4.5 feet below grade, to capture runoff from rains, allow it to percolate down into the aquifer and recharge the creek during the dry season. USDA provided about $1,300 funding of the $16,000 cost ($10,000 construction, $6,000 permits). The basin can also help mitigate flooding by capturing runoff. This kind of project would increase water available to farmers along the creek if more were constructed. It could help the creek run longer into the dry season. “I want to see steelhead in the stream,” he said. “I have only seen babies.”

Minutes of Previous Meeting were approved with one change. Mike Coleman was the one who was given a gift card.

Treasurer’s Report: No disbursements or income in the past month. $1,051.60 in the account.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations: Crosby has invited SLO Land Conservancy conservation manager Daniel Bohlman to speak at the December 9 meeting. The SLO Land Conservancy owns several properties in and around Cambria and holds conservation easements which they maintain on others. The Forest Committee will provide advance information about his and the Land Conservancy to encourage community members to attend.

 Website Update to Process Donations: Not yet accomplished, Christine Heinrichs will continue to pursue in the coming month.

Website Hosting to Improve Reliability: Christine will explore Digital West, which hosts Greenspace’s site, as a new host.

 New Fundraising Ideas and Projects: The web site could be used for crowdfunding.

 Forest Management

   Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Implementation (Greenhouse Gas): Funds should be available in December. Connie Gannon expressed concern that local groups are not being heard.

Greenspace and the Forest Committee will provide their input to the draft project description as soon as it is available.

  Western States Forestry Grant Status:  Not yet awarded but first on the list of projects to be funded. Members expressed concern that funds be used only for the purposes for which they have been awarded. “We want to make sure the money is used in a way that is useful to the local community,” Crosby said.

 Regular CDP Permit for CCSD Tree Removal. Bruce Mumper is on the FFRP board, which will meet the next day to discuss the MUP. He reported that Airlen Singewald of the County has said he thinks the CSD’s application for a regular permit can be rolled into an application related to forest management.

County Tree Replacement Policy: Christine posted a summary of the laws to the web site. The county has included a one-for-one replacement policy for dead trees in its letter to property owners.

Report From Fire Safe Focus Group: Connie Gannon is concerned about the letter sent to Bruce Gibson to revise the language in the North Coast Area Plan and Title 23 of the Land Use Ordinance to exempt hazardous fuel reduction activities associated with removal of dead and hazardous trees from the definition of “development.” Gibson encouraged the group to write the request, which could change the way development is covered in the permit process.

New Business

The December Meeting will be held December 9 at Rabobank with a guest speaker, Daniel Bohlman, conservation manager of the SLO Land Consrevancy.

Recommendations to NCAC on New Permit Applications:   The Anderson referral package, 2315 Adams Street, to convert a garage into living space and build a new three-car garage with a living unit above. Full package at this link.  The project will remove two mature oak trees and promises to replant eight, at the four to one ratio. The county does not enforce tree replacement nor keep any records. Laurel Stewart of NCAC’s Land Use Committee reported that for a permit for a property on Wilcombe, two trees, one alive and one dead, were removed before the permit was reviewed or issued. The Land Use Committee will address that permit again.

The subject of whether to consolidate lots or merge them was discussed. The legal difference pertains to the ability to sell property separately in the future.

Connie reported that a healthy tree was removed from a neighbor’s property. The county’s process is complaint driven. Possible wording for written complaints:

Date

James A. Bergman

Director, County Planning and Building

ATTN: Airlin Singewald, Senior Planner

County Government Center 1055 Monterey Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Director Bergman and Planner Singewald:

A violation of County Code has occurred in the removal of a mature living tree at [Address] on [Date]. The removal of this tree [describe] was unauthorized and violates both the letter and spirit of Title 23 of the Coastal Land Use Ordinance and North Coast Area Plan

Although the CZLUO provides for fines, unauthorized tree removals are often done out of ignorance rather than design. We desire to work with our neighbors while impressing on them the importance of saving every living tree in our forest.

Code Enforcement states: “The main focus of our program is to prevent the illegal removal and usually permanent loss of native and protected natural resources.  The majority of these types of violations are in the area of unauthorized grading, where runoff, creek siltation, habitat loss and flora and fauna takings regularly occur.  We take a dim view of these types of violations, and seek prosecution of all responsible parties.

“Our unit is part of the San Luis Obispo Environmental Enforcement Group and the San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara Federal Environmental Task Force.”

I request that you contact the person responsible for this unauthorized tree removal to inform them of their infraction and assist them in making restitution by planting a new tree and contributing to positive efforts to conserve our forest.

Sincerely yours etc.

Unfinished Business: Chris Cameron, executive director of Camp Ocean Pines, and Don Kinestro, manager at Rancho Marino, will be invited to future meetings.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Next Meeting December 9, 2015

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Minutes October 2015

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE:TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

October 14, 2015. 6:30 PM

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

A quorum was present: Directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, Alan Peters, Ralph Covell, Connie Gannon, Christine Heinrichs. Others in attendance: Mike Walgren, State Parks, Mel and Patricia Dorin, Galen Rathbun, Nancy Anderson, Vari MacNeil, Amanda Rice, Kathe Tanner, Jim Webb, Tony Church, Jim Gowdy and wife

Ask the Experts Question and Answer: Vari MacNeil raised a question about Blue Stain fungus. A neighbor had Paul Williams of Orkin out to examine her tree, which she reported has Blue Stain fungus. Vari said the tree appears healthy. Alan Peters said that Blue Stain fungus cannot be diagnosed from the exterior. He will research it and report at the next meeting.

Connie Gannon said two apparently healthy trees on Dovedale are tagged by the county for removal. Alan Peters of Cal Fire did not tag them. The group discussed the replanting requirements and ratio again. Christine Heinrichs will post current regulations to the web site and notify County Planner Airlin Singewald for comment.

Minutes of Previous Meeting were approved with one change, the date of the Cambria Community Council grant application is October 13, not 31.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz: $1,051.60, check cleared for sign posting materials. No other outstanding checks. Grant money left: $195. Laura donated a gift card to Mike Coleman, who helped install the sign. Amanda Rice noted that web site hosting now costs $25 a month and provision needs to be made to pay for it.

Sub­Committee Reports

Pine Forest Interpretative Sign Installation: The interpretive sign is now in place, in time for the Scarecrow Festival.

Grant Application ­ Cambria Community Council: Laura applied for $1,200 for brochures for new residents, post cards, newspaper ads to inform the community, support the web site, improve the CFC’s posting on the Historical Society kiosk.

Website Updates and Additions: Christine Heinrichs has posted the Forest Management Plan’s implementation plan. Crosby asked for a donation form and volunteer sign-up form to be added. She and Amanda Rice will confer to accomplish that.

Forest Management

Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application (Greenhouse Gas): The grant for $498,000 was awarded to the county Fire Safe Council. The grant includes hiring a Forest Manager who will divide the forest into treatment units and apply treatments to them. CEQA planning is required. This is the initial step of the Forest Management Plan. The grant provides for a sawmill on Covell Ranch to create usable lumber from as many of the 20,000 dead trees there as possible. The companion GHG grant application for $1.2 million has not been decided. The Western States grant application for $300,000 has been forwarded to the next level, which usually confers approval but that has not been formally granted yet.

Ralph Covell reported that Cal Poly’s evaluation of his ranch indicated that Monterey Pine regrowth is healthy. Mike Walgren of State Parks said that they may thin rather than replant to grow a healthy forest. State Parks has a summary plan spelling out their strategy.
Laura Swartz asked how the Forest Manager will be selected. Alan Peters said that Cal Poly will be included in the group, that a CEQA document will define the scope of work and what the activities will be. “This grant will be looking at things from a neutral perspective of the fire hazard,” he said.
Funds should be available in January.

County Blanket Tree Removal and Re­Planting Letter: Has not gone out as of meeting date.

 Emergency Permit for CCSD Tree Removal. Regular Permit: Alan Peters and Cal Fire have done all first inspections and followed up with many second inspections, marking 32 trees. He has a Smart Phone app recording the location of all the trees and can export the data to the Forest Committee and The Cambrian, as requested by Kathe Tanner. Alan Peters has set up three one-acre plots on Fiscalini Ranch to test three different disposal methods for effectiveness. Mike Walgren of State Parks reports that they burn piles of slash and will experiment in Morro Bay on a non-native area to determine how well that can work, without causing excessive tree mortality. Peters will track the plots into the future for recovery.

County Tree Replacement Policy: The North Coast Area Plan, Chapter 7: Planning Area Standards, Cambria Urban Area Standards, B. Combining Designations, p. 7-21 through 25 clearly states that Monterey Pines shall be replaced at a 4:1 ratio and oaks at a 6:1 ratio. This applies to live trees that are removed by permit for construction. The county specified in its Emergency Tree Removal letter that dead trees shall be replaced 1:1. Details will be posted to the CFC web site.

Report From Fire Safe Focus Group: The Focus Group continues to work with the school for evacuations, the disabled and elderly who may need help to evacuate, pet management during fires.

New Business

     Discuss Endorsement of Fire Safe Focus Group Letter to District Supervisor: Shirley Bianchi, chair, sent a letter to County Supervisor Bruce Gibson requesting that Title 23 of the Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance be revised to remove Tree Removal from the definition of Development to facilitate tree removal. Greenspace disagrees that tree removal requires a change in the CZLUO, that emergency provisions allow supervisors to act. Greenspace will send a separate letter encouraging the supervisors to consider drafting an emergency exemption for these large tracts of land that will never come into development.

Alan Peters said the CZLUO prohibits removing more than six trees from a single property and has made tree removal on the Covell Ranch impossible. Crosby said that hazardous trees can be removed without a permit. Amanda said the definition of ‘development’ needs to be changed to allow tree removal. Connie said that the CZLUO’s emergency language allows the county to act, but Peters said that the county BoS saw the possibility of a lawsuit and refused to act.

Unfinished Business

Forest Management District Ballot Measure: Amanda Rice reported that the San Luis Obispo Local Agency Formation Commission is unlikely to approve creation of an independent Forest Management District because they have spent so much time and energy this year on the Paso Robles Water District.

Connie Gannon of Greenspace discussed Greenspace’s recommendations for formation of a Forest Management District. The CFC could be the lead organization, reconstituted with a full complement of original members and some additional participants, such as the Native Plant Society and Senator Monning’s office. The grant will hire a full-time manager, a significant position. The CFC should develop a coherent statement of what the district should be and what it should do. A committed corps of volunteers will be needed to carry out the plan’s recommendations.

A Forest Management District could also be formed in partnership with The SLO Land Conservancy, the Salinas-Las Tablas  Resource Conservation District, or with organizations currently engaged in managing the other Monterey Pine forests in California.

Continuing funding is needed to support sustained forest management. Some strategies for tax money are possible: the county could impose a sales tax to be directed to a Forest Management District; tax money coming to Cambria for other uses might be designated. CFC needs a presence at the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Board, the current recipients of the county’s Bed Tax, to improve communication. Ralph Covell will be the CFC representative at the Fire Safe Focus Group. Amanda Rice will meet with  Shirley Bianchi to discuss the Focus Group.

Covell raised the issue of meeting times. The Chamber holds a mixer on the second Wednesday at 5:30, just prior to the CFC meeting. Several other groups meet on Wednesdays. Send meeting dates and times to Amanda to compile. Other organizations to be invited to CFC meetings include the Farm Bureau, Native Plant Society, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, State Fish & Wildlife, Coastal Conservancy, San Simeon Chamber and Tourism Board. Amanda will talk to MBNMS, Eric at Coastal Conservancy.

New Business: Laura raised the possibility of doing a fund raiser.

Adjournment at 9:28 pm

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September 2015 Minutes

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes September 2015

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes, September 9, 2015

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm. A quorum was present. Attendees include: directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, Bruce Mumper, JoEllen Butler, Amanda Rice, Vari MacNeil, JoEllen Butler and Christine Heinrichs. Carlos Mendoza of CCSD, Mary (of NCAC and Greenspace) and Jim Webb, and Nancy Anderson of Greenspace also attended.

Minutes of Previous Meeting approved with one change, from Forest Management Plan in one place to District.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reports that $1,151.77, remains in the treasury. $270 is left for sign grant.

Sub­Committee Reports:

Pine Forest Interpretative Sign Fabrication: Laura Swartz wants to get the sign installed before the Scarecrow Festival in October. She is looking for a contractor who can do the work, complying with ADA and county requirements. Carlos said the hardware store will saw the wood, and the signs on the Fiscalini Ranch can be used as models. They are all ADA-compliant.

Website Updates and Additions: Christine Heinrichs has updated the web site and added some information. Crosby said not all the posts display well in every device. Amanda will check and adjust. She may have to start charging for web hosting. Christine asked all directors to look at the web site and make suggestions.

Tree Replacement Policy: Christine Heinrichs is summarizing NCAP requirements and comparing with county language as presented to permit holders. She will draft a letter to County Planner Airlin Singewald to be approved by directors at the next meeting. Once the requirements are clear, they will be posted on the web site. Mary Webb reported that someone in her neighborhood cut down a living 20-inch Monterey Pine because it was convenient to take it down while the tree cutter was removing a dead tree. She said the county knows about it but does not enforce. The Forest Committee will prepare a sample letter to be revised at the October meeting to complain to the county planning and code enforcement about unauthorized tree removals. “The process is complaint driven,” Mary said.

Nancy Anderson suggested providing information to new residents when they move in. A brochure such as Greenspace’s Living in the Forest could be included with property closing documents or could be given to new residents when they come to CSD office to change their water accounts. Crosby will find out from a title company what is currently included in closing documents. Amanda suggested talking to a Realtor. Vari will consult the Living in the Forest brochure and draft up a sample.
Forest Management

Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application (Greenhouse Gas): no decision yet.

CCSD Blanket Tree Removal and Re­Planting Permit: Current hazardous tree removal standards include requiring one-for-one tree replacement in the letter being sent from County Planning to authorize property owners to remove hazardous trees, as designated by Cal Fire. The CSD will direcct Carlos and his crew to remove 190 or so trees on Fiscalini Ranch and 40-60 trees from behind the wastewater plant. He has grants from PG&E and Cal Fire. A lot of the trees are small. “They counted everything,” he said. The CSD will plant replacement trees. “There’s a good survival rate for planted trees,” he said.

 

The CCC will chip the trees and the chips will be used on FFRP trails. A small tractor and a chipper can be brought into the forest without making another road. An old trail was opened for use and it will be closed and returned to previous condition when the project is done. JoEllen Butler of FFRP said they will scatter seeds and cones and plant some understory.

 

Amanda Rice noted that the forest is crowded in some places. The overall health of the forest needs to be considered in replanting.

 

JoEllen Butler of FFRP reported on the three one-acre test plots being treated by Cal Fire. The Minor Use Permit is on Information Hold, awaiting further documentation. Some material will be burned. Alan Peters of Cal Fire has designated the spot. No materials from any other site will be brought in.

Damage by Use of String Trimmers in Fern Canyon Preserve: Weed cutters are no longer getting the training in weed abatement that Rick Hawley of Greenspace used to do. The contractor told Laura Swartz, “I do not care about the habitat.” Carlos Mendoza explained that Buddy Cannon of Bushwacker had passed the business along to his uncle, who was overwhelmed by work beyond his ability.  Crosby and Amanda will both check the list of lots to have weeds abated next year, to make sure only lots that qualify are listed.

New Business:

Cambria Community Council grant: The deadline is October 13. A grant could pay for printing brochures to inform new residents of responsibilities of living in the forest. Other ideas are welcome.

Recommendations to NCAC on New Permit Applications: no permits were submitted for review.

Forest Management District Ballot Measure: Crosby presented a list of Forest Management District Responsibilities and Forest Areas to be included. Variations in the name include Forest Management, Forest Conservation, Forest Maintenance District. He has information as to how to get it on the ballot. Ten percent of registered voters are required to sign a petition to place the description of what it is, what it will cost and how to pay for it on the ballot. Thirteen months is the minimum required time.

Amanda and Crosby both recommended keeping the assessment to less than $100 per parcel. That could generate $250,000, enough to start a district. Administratively, a district could be placed under the county, the CSD or be independent. Amanda said that some years ago, County Supervisor Bruce Gibson said the county would not handle it and the CSD refused to accept it. An independent district will be more expensive but be free of the influence of CSD directors or county supervisors. Mary Webb said that Greenspace will never support a district unless it is independent. Greenspace has an Implementation Document to accompany the Forest Management Plan. it is being digitized for distribution. “How else are you going to get someone who is not beholden to elected representatives?” she said.

Jim Webb suggested looking at successful districts, such as the one where he owns property in the Sierras, Sequoia Property Owners Association. They manage the forest, do some logging, have a sawmill and a co-gen plant. “The streams are clear and full of fish,” he said. “You would be hard pressed to know this is actively logged.”

Monterey County and the San Simeon Park may be examples of successfully managed forests. Amanda will invite State Parks to send a representative to Forest Committee meetings. Crosby will make a contact with Monterey County.  Crosby and Christine will invite Alan Peters of Cal Fire to attend Forest Committee meetings again.

Amanda will explore the technicalities of forming different types of district and report at the October meeting. She asked all to evaluate the possibilities after more information is presented.
“Everybody brings a little piece of the wheel,” Amanda said. “The structure [of a district] is critical. We want to get a forest that is healthier and manageable. It’s critical not to make up your mind before we get the facts out. We are in the initial stage. It’s important to hear what people’s ideas are. We haven’t decided anything yet.”

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Next Meeting October 14, 2015

 

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August 2015 Minutes

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

MEETING MINUTES

August 12, 2015, Minutes August 2015 6:30 PM, Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

6:45 PM  Call to Order and Establish a Quorum. Attending: Directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, JoEllen Butler, Connie Gannon, Julie Jorgenson. Tony Church and Vari MacNeil, NCAC, Holly Sletteland. Kathe Tanner for The Cambrian. Quorum delayed until arrival of all directors.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reports $1,157.00 in the account. $270 is left of the grant for the interpretive sign.

Sub-Committee Reports

Pine Forest Interpretative Sign Fabrication: Laura spent $80 having the sign backed with 1/2″ firm material so that it will be impervious to weather and visitors.  The remainder of the money is available to spend on the post and installation. It will be displayed at a 45-degree angle, at the height required to accommodate ADA requirements. Kathe Tanner suggested contacting Jay Burbank for installation.

Website Updates and Additions: Two women visitors reported that the web site is not functioning. Christine Heinrichs will contact Amanda Rice to resolve. Christine has posted some additional material to the site. She is considering additional changes, possibly adding a blog.

Pre-Planning for Forest Restoration: Kathe Tanner is trying to determine the number of trees removed to share with the community. Christine Heinrichs will pursue ascertaining County policy on mitigation tree replanting. The intention is to have written requirements posted to the web site by the end of 2015.

Forest Management: Connie Gannon, executive director of Greenspace, reported that a group of University of California personnel are working on a new Forest Management Plan. She will contact Sarah Brisbane of Cal Poly to discuss, with the intention of adding the Forest Committee to the deliberations. The current plan would benefit from updating but a second plan could confuse the community. The Forest Committee intends to encourage the community to fund the Forest Management District in the November 2016 election.

Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application (Greenhouse Gas): Christine Heinrichs reports that Dan Turner reported at the Fire Safe Focus Group meeting earlier in the day that the application deadline was set back 45 days and the decision date may be similarly delayed. A decision may be reached by mid-September.

CCSD Blanket Tree Removal and Re-Planting Permit: The CSD and the County reached an impasse on the Blanket Tree Removal Permit. Both declined to accept liability. The county has written a letter which each homeowner will be required to sign accepting liability  before dead trees are removed. A draft of that letter should be available soon.

Damage by Use of String Trimmers in Fern Canyon Preserve

Violation of Section 51184 of State Code: Crosby and Laura reported that several lots deep in Fern Canyon were severely bushwhacked, cut down to the ground, in apparent violation of the protected area and guidelines to cut no closer than 4″ to the ground. The lots fall under the exception for protected lands kept in a natural state. The area is steep, and without vegetation is subject to mudslides when rain comes.

  1. (a) Section 51182 shall not apply to any land or water area acquired or managed for one or more of the following purposes or uses: (1) Habitat for endangered or threatened species, or any species that is a candidate for listing as an endangered or threatened species by the state or federal government. (2) Lands kept in a predominantly natural state as habitat for wildlife, plant, or animal communities. (3) Open space lands that are environmentally sensitive parklands. (4) Other lands having scenic values, as declared by the local agency, or by state or federal law.

Crosby documented the damage with photos and escorted a representative of the Land Conservancy down to the site. He will write a letter to the Coastal Commission for directors to  approve to notify the Commission of the problem.

New Business

Approval of New Director: Julie Jorgenson was unanimously approved as a new director. She is a part-time resident transitioning with her husband from Los Angeles. She is professionally trained in landscape design. She is a neighbor to the Swartzes and has been removing Cape Ivy from the area. “I’ve been bringing nature to Southern California with landscape design, but here I’m ready to give design a rest and give the landscape back to nature,” she said.” I’m ready to let Nature do what it wants to do.”

Recommendations to NCAC on New Permit Applications:

Three applications involve Verizon  installing cell phone coverage improvements. After discussion and a report from Vari MacNeil of the NCAC Land Use Committee, the committee determined that cell phone coverage is not related to forest issues and the Forest Committee need not be involved. Dan Turner, who was to submit two versions of a letter in support of cell phone improvements and requested adding the Forest Committee’s logo to the Fire Safe Focus Group’s letterhead, will be informed that the Forest Committee’s mission does not include cell phones.

Applicant Name: CRAWFORD, Direct link to CRAWFORD referral package

Case Number: DRC2015-00006

Project Description: MUP

APN: 023-293-058

2574 Camborne Place

          This permit is for a three-car garage and automotive bay with 2,079 square feet of paving. At least one Monterey Pine and two Coast Live Oaks will be removed and other Pines and Oaks impacted by this project. NCAC has already voted to deny the permit or approve it only with substantial changes. The Forest Committee voted unanimously to add a letter to NCAC’s recommendation to County Planning Department.  Christine will draft the letter by Friday for Crosby’s comment, then to be circulated to all directors for approval, to reach NCAC prior to its meeting Wednesday, August 19.

  Unfinished Business

Forest Management District Ballot Measure: Crosby will examine the legal requirements and determine the steps needed to determine the costs of funding a Forest Management District. He will report on that at the September meeting. Connie Gannon suggested calling it a Forest Conservation District to clarify the difference from timber resource management and fire management.

Connie suggested we consider pursuing threatened or endangered listing for Cambria’s Monterey Pines. An attempt to have it listed some years ago failed, but the original proposal could be revived. Connie will contact the woman in Monterey who spearheaded the original effort.

Minutes of Previous Meeting were approved with one abstention, JoEllen Butler, who had not been able to review the minutes because she was out of town.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Next Meeting September 9, 2015

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July 2015 Minutes

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEETO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

July 8, 2015, 6:30 PM
Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

A quorum was present and the meeting called to order at 6:30 pm. FC directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, Bruce Mumper, Amanda Rice, Alan Peters and Christine Heinrichs attending. Dan Turner, Business Manager, San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council, Vari McNeil, Land Use Committee of NCAC, Julie Jorgenson, landscape designer, Rick Hawley, Greenspace attended.

Minutes of Previous Meeting approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reports $1,232.40 in the checking account, no outstanding checks. $350 of the Cambria Community Council grant remains to be spent for the interpretive sign.Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations:

The Pine Forest Interpretative Sign Permit has been approved. Laura Swartz reports that Glenn Marshall waived all fees. The sign can now be placed next to the BlueBird Motel. It must be posted on wooden posts with no concrete. Everyone has been very cooperative along the way, including a unanimous vote from NCAC. The process gave the Forest Committee positive exposure in the community.

Website Updates and Additions: Christine Heinrichs has posted current minutes. The Greenspace brochure of native and non-native plant illustrations is posted but is distorted on some displays. Amanda Rice will adjust. Additional materials and FAQ are welcome.

Bruce Mumper reported that the Fire Safe Focus Group would like to include the Forest Committee’s logo along with those of other community organizations on its letterhead. Following the unanimous vote of the Cambria Health District board requesting providers to upgrade cell service in Cambria, the Fire Safe Focus Group asked Dan Turner to write a letter to the county. Ken Topping is working with the county to fast track the request.

Discussion followed as to the need for cell service, which Bruce Mumper said emergency responders rely on. Other problems of siting cell network repeaters and towers, the use of the Forest Committee’s logo on letterhead for other letters, and the difficulty of obtaining signatures from the 23 groups were discussed.
Laura Swartz made a motion to approve a letter recognizing the need for better cell service, seconded by Bruce Mumper. Unanimously approved. Dan Turner will write two versions of the letter, one with general wording and another with specifics, and submit them to the Forest Committee for approval.
Because approval is needed before the August meeting, the letter will be circulated to directors via email. Amanda Rice said that although the Forest Committee is not subject to the Brown Act, the committee has always been as transparent as possible. Her motion that the committee formalize the procedure for approving documents without a formal meeting was unanimously approved. Dan Turner’s letters can be posted to the web site.

The problem of cars parked to limit access on narrow roads and the possibility of cars being abandoned in an emergency was discussed. Amanda Rice said that The CSD can give the fire chief authority to ticket cars but has not.Forest Management:

Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application (Greenhouse Gas): Dan Turner reported that no decision has been made yet but one is expected in July, with funds becoming available by September. If approved, the grant will pay for a portable sawmill to operate on Covell Ranch, to make wood shavings for horse bedding and wood chips. The remainder will go to a biomass landfill. Forests on the west side of Highway 1 (Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Strawberry Canyon, Rancho Marino) require different permit processes from the forest on the East side, mainly Covell Ranch, which is in a conservation easement held by the Nature Conservancy. The West side is estimated to be able to conserve 4,000 tons of GHG, the East side 8,800 tons through Sanitation and Salvage operations.

PG&E Grant to Fire Safe Council: Dan Turner reported that PG&E gave the Fire Safe Council $68,000 to identify and remove Hazardous Trees. Thus far 194 hazardous trees have been identified on Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. They will do the same for Strawberry Canyon.

PG&E also gave the Fire Safe Council $17,000 for public outreach.
Rick Hawley asked that the fire danger talk be moderated. That led to a discussion of the problem of insuring homes for fire damage. Some companies already will not issue coverage, some are charging high rates. Some companies recognize Cambria is a Fire Wise Community, but others do not. Dan Turner reported that Oak Shores near Nacimiento Lake is having trouble transacting real estate because no company will issue fire insurance.
Laura Swartz reported that the CSD has widened a trail on Fiscalini Ranch to allow a chipper to have access to remove the 194 dead trees, leaving exposed roots of living trees.
Cal Fire will do some pile burning on Fiscalini Ranch Preserve as they remove dead trees there.

Fog Moisture Project Planning: Vari McNeil reported that Neil Ingraham has not responded to her inquiry. Rick Hawley reported that his fog catchers have not caught much fog. “The best fog catcher is a tree,” he said.CCSD Blanket Tree Removal and Re­Planting Permit: Laura Swartz said that the drought declaration is a political act and that tree replanting should be ongoing. Tree replanting should not wait until the drought has ended. Greenspace has 1,000 trees ready to be planted. Crosby Swartz said that Growing Grounds in San Luis Obispo has 2,000. Rick Hawley said that although the drought continues, Cambria received 15 inches of rain last year of its normal 18 inches and streams are still flowing. Alan Peters said that mortality to Monterey Pines is in the overstory. “The understory is doing well,” he said.

New Business

Election of Officers: No additional candidates were nominated. Current officers: Crosby Swartz, co-chair; JoEllen Butler, co-chair; Laura Swartz, treasurer; Christine Heinrichs, secretary.

Recommendations to the county on New Permit Applications: The Statton deck extension at 1290 Ellis does not affect any trees. Galen Rathbun responded to Crosby Swartz prior to the meeting that the deck was built before the permit application was filed. Vari McNeil said that the NCAC Land Use Committee reviewed the application and that Statton would build the deck around the oak tree. She offered to check the date on the permit and report at the next meeting.

Forest Management District Description: Dan Turner explained about different administrative and legal structures for a Forest Management District. Minimum cost would be $250,000. Amanda, who is familiar with administrative issues, had left the meeting early. She will discuss at a future meeting. Dan Turner knows of a company that could write a plan for about $25,000. Rick Hawley said that dividing $250,000 by 4,800, the number of households in Cambria, would not be too much of a financial burden.

Public Comment: Julie Jorgenson raised the issue of homeless encampments in the forest. Dan Turner said that removing french broom would help remove hiding places. Homeless people living in shelters that are removed re-establish in other locations. Shelters on private land without the owner’s permission are trespassing and can be removed by the sheriff. Campfires on Cal Trans right-of-way are never legal and should be reported.

Rick Hawley deals with the homeless at the Greenspace Creekside Reserve and other Greenspace properties. “I deal with the homeless and walk these properties all the time and they know not to stay there,” he said.The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Next Meeting August 12, 2015

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June 2015 Minutes

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes June 2015.

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE
TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Location: Rabobank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Convened 6:30 pm 10 June 2015

Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Crosby and Laura Swartz, Bruce Mumper representing FFRP, Amanda Rice for CSD, Christine Heinrichs, secretary, Nancy Anderson representing Greenspace.  Fire Chief Mark Miller; Vari MacNeil of Beautify Cambria Association. Members of the public: Jim Gowdy, Mary Jo Aiken, Tony Church, Don Canestro, Ken Persinger, Cheryl McDowell. Kathe Tanner, reporting for The Cambrian.

Ask the Experts Question and Answer: no questions were presented in this new feature.

Minutes of Previous Meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report from Laura Swartz: $1,232.40. $350 is left of the CCC grant designated for installation of the interpretive sign. One check was paid.

Sub-Committee Reports: The Pine Forest Interpretive Sign: Laura Swartz went to owner of the Bluebird Motel for permission to install the sign on the access path to East Ranch. She has responded positively. An encroachment permit may be required. Laura is working with Glenn Marshall to find ways to waive fees. NCAC approval is needed and Laura has had the matter placed on the NCAC agenda for Wednesday, June 17.

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Laura has ordered 100 postcards of the Pine Forest Sign. She also has 11×18 posters which she is distributing around town.

Website Updates and Additions: Christine Heinrichs has placed minutes from the past years’ meetings and opened a Frequently Asked Questions page. All suggestions for material to be posted welcome. Future postings will include how to handle problems with trees, the correct way to do weed abatement and diagrams of invasive weeds from the Greenspace brochure.

Pre-Planning for Forest Restoration:

Ways to maintain a count of trees removed were discussed. The Highway Department has removed about 165 trees. Mark Miller reports that Cal Fire has a software program that records every dead tree by GPS coordinates. Two interns are visiting homes in Cambria and keeping a record. Carlos Mendoza of CCSD has records of trees that have been removed.

Trees can be replanted before the drought is over. Growing Grounds in San Luis Obispo has a lot of trees in small containers that will need to be repotted or could be planted directly. Leffingwell High School students are required to perform community service and might be willing to help. Grant Phillips is the teacher, g.phillips@coastusd.org.

Ken Persinger has experience planting trees and can teach others. Locations where there is a stump indicate that conditions are good for another tree to grow there.

Mary Jo Aiken noted that trees she planted at the grammar school are doing well. Kathe Tanner said she would write a story for The Cambrian.

Laura pointed out that cone and seed scattering and tree planting are in the Forest Management Plan [Sec. 4-26 and 4-27]. She said, “The idea that we have to wait until the drought is over has to go away.”

Where trees can be replanted continues under discussion. CCSD has refused to allow trees to be replanted on land it owns for the community, citing costs of maintenance. Preferred locations are as close to where trees were removed as possible. CSD Director Amanda Rice said she would raise the question with the CSD board.

Forest Management 

Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application (Greenhouse Gas): no news

PG&E Grant to Fire Safe Council: Bruce Mumper reported that Alan Peters of Cal Fire has marked dead trees on Fiscalini Ranch for removal. PGE will provide funding.

Fog Moisture Project Planning: Vari MacNeil reported that the project has stalled on clarifying research questions for the project with Neil Ingraham, Fresno professor who is advising on the project. She will continue to work with him to specify research. Kathe Tanner will contact him for a story for The Cambrian. Analyzing the fog can help raise public awareness of the importance of retaining mature trees.

CCSD Blanket Tree Removal and Re-Planting Permit: The CSD board postponed action on the proposed Blanket Tree Removal Permit. Mark Miller reported that SLO County Board of Supervisors and Cal Fire have declined to engage with Cambria in a blanket permit, citing legal concerns. He has a draft of the CSD’s proposal from district lawyer Tim Carmel. Amanda Rice prefers to continue requiring individual homeowners to get permits to remove dead trees, with financial relief from the $126 fee if necessary. Tree removal contractors generally include the permit fee in their charges.

Confusion and frustration over this issue, and lack of a replanting plan, led to a discussion of the need for adoption of the Forest Management Plan, formation of a Forest Management District and hiring of a forest ecologist to guide decisions on these and other issues that affect the forest.

Crosby Swartz said, “The timing is right for forming the Forest Management District.” Amanda Rice promised to gather information regarding costs of implementing the Forest Management Plan and putting the issue of forming the Forest Management District on the 2016 ballot for Cambria. The Forest Committee consensus was to pursue implementation of the Forest Management Plan in order to resolve these issues and lead the way to a healthy forest.

Jim Gowdy, an electrician working on the construction project on Chester Street, noted that the oak trees are doing quite well with lot of new growth.

Cheryl MacDowell pointed to Covell Ranch’s fire break. She is concerned that it did not go far enough to allow fire-fighting equipment to get the access that may be needed.

Ken Persinger reported that the Fire Safe Focus Group would consider plans to inform the public about fire danger at its meeting June 12.

Mark Miller concluded the discussion with farewell remarks, as he will retire this year. His last day of work will be July 16, with an official end date at the conclusion of his accumulated vacation and sick days. “This is my last meeting,” he said, “and I want to let you know that I admire your mission and your tenacity. It has been my pleasure to meet with you. This is my favorite group to meet with. I wish I could have done more with public safety, but I love the people here and wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

The CSD board has not taken any action to replace Chief Miller, leaving Cambria’s fire department future uncertain. The issue will be discussed at the CSD’s June 28 meeting.

Unfinished Business: The Forest Committee will hold election of officers at the July meeting. Crosby is willing to continue serving as co-chair with JoEllen Butler of FFRP. Laura Swartz will continue as treasurer.

Public Comment: 

Amanda Rice noted that the Coastal Commission will meet in Morro Bay, February 2016. Members will be available for tours and other activities to learn about our area.

Christine Heinrichs reported that Beautify Cambria Association is considering joining America in Bloom, which has an Urban Forestry component to its competition. Morro Bay is a member and Arroyo Grande won an award, and will host the national meeting in 2016. BCA would like to work with the Forest Committee on membership as Cambria in Bloom.

“Participants are evaluated in the following areas: overall impression, heritage preservation, environmental efforts, urban forestry, landscapes, floral displays, and community involvement. The judges evaluate these criteria in the residential, commercial, and municipal sectors. www.americainbloom.org/

“America in Bloom Symposium & Awards … America in Bloom envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work, and play …”

Urban Forestry

Distribution, variety and suitability of trees; new plantings; urban tree program; qualified personnel or access to trained individual(s); inventory or database; frequency of tree surveys; care and maintenance programs; preservation of heritage trees and woodlots; scheduled succession plantings. Efforts in management, planning, maintenance, improvement, and innovation. Written policies, by-laws and regulations, long and short term plans.

Adjournment at 9:10 pm.

 

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May 2015 Minutes

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

Minutes May 2015

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

MINUTES

May 13, 2015   6:30 PM

LOCATION:  Rabobank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Crosby and Laura Swartz, JoEllen Butler, FFRP, Bruce Mumper, FFRP, Christine Heinrichs, Greenspace. Connie Gannon, executive director of Greenspace. Visitors: Julie Jorgenson, lives near Fern Canyon, Tony Church, Ken Persinger, Kathy Hurrle.

New item added to agenda: Ask the Experts Question and Answer. This is intended  as a public comment and educational time for the public to participate and then leave if their questions have been answered.

Minutes of April 8 meeting approved as amended.

Treasurer’s report from Laura Swartz: No transactions, balance continues at $1,337.39. $350 of that is from the Community Council grant for the interpretive signs.

Sub-committee reports:

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations: Laura Swartz reports good news, that the sign could be placed a the Main Street access to FFRP. The location is on county Right of Way, so the county will have to approve it. That is usual, provided the adjacent landowner has no objection. Laura spoke with the owner of the BlueBird Motel, who is enthusiastic in support. She will also present it to NCAC. Further discussions will be scheduled with Greenspace to place the other sign on one of Greenspace’s properties. Connie Gannon will arrange with Rick Hawley, operations manager.

Website Updates and Additions: Minutes and the interpretive sign have been added to the web site by Christine Heinrichs. Other possible future additions are a Q&A; the Greenspace brochure illustrating native and non-native vegetation; information about watering trees; an article from Sunset that Connie Gannon has regarding saving trees; the section in the Forest Management Plan on watering; and the county ordinance on tree removal and mitigation.

Pre-Planning for Forest Restoration: Crosby Swartz expressed a need for tracking tree removal and having aplan for restoration as a condition for the CSD’s adoption of the Emergency Tree Removal Permit, scheduled for consideration at the following day’s Special CSD Meeting. In the event, that item was removed from the agenda.

Discussion covered the number of trees being removed by the county, 126, but trees are also being removed by the CSD, PG&E and private owners.

JoEllen Butler reported that Sarah Bisbing’s Cal Poly forestry class is collecting information about tree mortality on FFRP, Rancho Marino and Covell Ranch, to support the Cap & Trade Greenhouse Gas grant application. Dan Turner is preparing that application, due June 10. Data will include soil type, infestations and all factors that affect tree health. Future funding could allow more extensive analysis.

Fog Moisture Project Planning: Connie Gannon reports three more people are building fog catchers. There has been so little fog that Rick Hawley’s has not collected any measurable moisture. Possibly a screen would collect more than the filament Rick is using.

CCSD Blanket Tree Removal Permit: Crosby plans to attend the meeting sand offer the Forest Committee’s help in creating a reforestation plan for long-term mitigation. Others mentioned that the county does not enforce its regulations and therefore, no one is held accountable. The mitigation ratio needs to be clarified, at 1:4 or greater. Homeowners need to sign a release to commit to replanting. Trees can be successfully pl;anted during the drought. FFRP trees planted three and four years ago are doing well. Waiting until the drought is over increases the chance that trees will never be planted. The Forest Committee could present the CSD with a plan that would enable the CSD to act. Crosby and Laura Swartz, Ken Persinger and Christine Heinrichs committed to attending the CSD Special Meeting and submitting comments.

Bruce Mumper reported that Shirley Bianchi and Susan MacDonald are starting a new Fire Safe Committee.

Greenspace and Growing Grounds in San Luis Obispo have Monterey Pine seedlings from local seeds.

Laura Swartz will have postcard-size copies of the interpretive sign made for use as calling cards and meeting invitations at a cost of $44 per hundred. Moved by Bruce Mumper and seconded by JoEllen Butler to unanimous approval.

The Forest Committee needs a forest ecology expert who can advise on best practices. The Committee will consider how to identify a person, perhaps from Cal Poly or some retired person from the community to assist in saving the forest.

Unfinished Business:

New permit applications: Crosby found no trees will be affected on the permit application he reviewed. Tony Church differed, said several will be killed by the proposed construction. Crosby will review.

Locations for Tree Planting: A list compiled by Galen Rathbun exists. A notice could be placed in the Cambrian asking for property owners who are willing to have trees planted on their property.

Public Comment:

Ken Persinger reported that he has been working with the fire department on defensible space and chipping events. He is in favor of the emergency tree removal permit to help homeowners remove dead trees.

“We need to take an optimistic view,” said Laura Swartz. “We can look like this again. Where do we go from here?”

Next meeting June 10, 2010.

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April 2015 Minutes

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes April 2015

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.

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March 2015 Minutes

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEETO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIAMeeting Minutes, March 11, 2015 Download pdf here: Minutes March 2015

Meeting was convened at  6:30 PM at Rabobank in Cambria.

A quorum of directors was in attendance: Crosby and Laura Swartz, JoEllen Butler, Bruce Mumper, Amanda Rice and Christine Heinrichs. Vari MacNeil, Tony Church, Mark Miller, Dan Turner and  Jeff Walters also attended.

Approval of minutes deferred to corrections, which will be accomplished via email.Treasurer’s Report from Laura Crosby: $1,137.39 includes the $500 grant from the Cambria Community Council. The bank has eliminated further monthly charges to the account and will repay those deducted in January and February but cannot refund any fees paid in 2014. The application for a $200 grant from the bank is still pending.Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations:

Pine Forest Interpretative Sign Location: Crosby and Laura Swartz walked Fiscalini Ranch with JoEllen Butler March 10 and took photos of appropriate locations for the signs. They will meet with the FFRP Board to discuss on Thursday.

PG&E Reliability Program: No information on tree mitigation planting.

Forest Management: The Cambria Forest Management Plan has never been funded. With costs of the emergency Water Project passing $12 million, it’s unlikely that money will be made available for the forest.
Dan Turner, business manager of the Fire Safe Council, reported that the Fire Risk Reduction Project Grant Application SRA Fee grant application was not funded. However, the Cambria Forest Health Project Grant Application  Greenhouse Gas Reduction grant application has been recommended to go forward. He will report to the community at the meeting Wednesday, March 18, Vets Hall 9-11 am. Other funding may be available, such as $50,000 designated for the Park Hill area in the event that project was not funded through SRA Fee. Park Hill was funded, so that money may be reallocated to Cambria.

Amanda Rice asked “What does forest health mean?” The group discussed various aspects of forest health: appropriate density of trees, sufficient water, reduction of invasive species, removal of excess deadfall to reduce fuel. A catastrophic fire is possible. Fire Chief Mark Miller made the point that Cambria does not have adequate fire fighting ability in the event of a fast-moving, wind-driven fire. He is focused on eliminating ignition sources such as overhead power lines, vegetation fires near homes, any open burning, weed whackers and mowers without spark arresters. “Everyone has to be cognizant of those ignition sources,” he said. “We’ve had enough rain to get a good crop of weeds. That’s your flash point.”

Vari MacNeil suggested more signs about not smoking on trails. Chief Miller also wants more signs warning of fire danger along the highway. She reported that Neil Ingraham, the Fresno State University scientist she has been working with on the fog project, has described Cambria’s Monterey Pine forest as a relict, at the edge of its historic limit. If it burns down or dies, it will probably not be able to regenerate.
Monterey Pine is a fire dependent species that requires the high temperatures of fire to open its cones and drop seeds to grow new trees.
Dan Turner said that trees that have survived infestations and disease but are now dying from the drought.Amanda Rice suggested having an evacuation drill. Chief Miller is exploring that idea.
Laura Swartz suggested asking the CSD to allocate money to take down dead trees on private property as well as dead trees on their own. “I’m trying to shift some responsibility to our local agency,” she said.
Amanda Rice suggested that the Forest Committee act as an information resource for Cambrians with respect to dead trees, defensible space, weed abatement and other fire safety issues.
Jeff Walters suggested reopening the public easement to the Covell Ranch, where the public previously maintained the fire break by removing understory. Chief Miller said that project was near and dear to him because “it’s the best insurance this community has.” Walters suggested that the Fire Safe Council might approach Covell about reopening the easement on fire safety grounds.
Fog Moisture Project Planning: Vari MacNeil reported that the study is moving forward. She submitted questions to Neil Ingraham collected from the Forest Committee and Greenspace and awaits his answers. Rick Hawley sent a message that he is reworking the fog collection device to be less vulnerable to wind.The possibility of burning dead wood in a cogeneration plant could supply power to the water plant, which is using $30,000 of power a month. PG&E is not always willing to buy power. That remains to be explored.
New Business: Greenspace is pursuing a grant for a workshop and flyer on defensible space. Amanda has worked on that in the past and will forward materials to Vari MacNeil. Flyers could be sent out with water bills to every address in Cambria and given to real estate agents to give to their clients. The Forest Committee could also produce brochures for tree professionals to inform them of the legal requirements for getting permits to cut trees and advice on best pruning practices. Mark Miller has brochures on weed abatement he wrote with Galen Rathbun’s input.

Chief Miller suggested that the Forest Committee could apply for a grant to create a demonstration garden. The Botanical Garden and Arroyo Grande have demonstration gardens to show the public how to landscape to reduce fire danger.Locations for Tree Planting: still looking for recommendations. The Forest Committee will create zones where new trees are need3ed and can be planted with an expectation that they will survive.The meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.

Next Meeting April 8, 2015

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