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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February 2015 Minutes

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA
11 February 2015 6:30 PM, Rabobank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

Download pdf here Minutes February 2015
1.0 Call to Order and Establish a Quorum
Crosby and Laura Swartz,, Alan Peters, Bruce Mumper, Amanda Rice, Christine Heinrichs attending. Guests Tony Church, NCAC representative, Kermit Johansson, Connie Gannon, Kathe Tanner, reporter for The Cambrian

2.0 Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes subject to additional statement regarding the discussion of Fire Chief Mark Miller’s resignation, as required by GM Jerry Gruber.

3.0 Treasurer’s Report

Laura Swartz reports that the bank account balance is $1137.39. She continues to work with the bank on a grant to pay bank fees of $10 a month. She will request a refund of fees paid since April 2014.

4.0 Sub­Committee Reports – none

4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Effect of Drought on Tree Mortality and Fire ­Risk

Alan Peters of Cal Fire reported that he, Kim Carmella and one other toured the area and estimate 40 percent of the trees in the forest have died. Older trees have fought pathogens for years and now are succumbing to the drought. Crosby Swartz said, “The general public can see the dead trees, but I’m not sure they are aware of the fire danger.” Connie Gannon, executive director of Greenspace, said she is preparing a grant application through the Fire Safe Countil to hold a public workshop on creating defensible space so that indigenous plants are not damaged and invasives are removed, to be held in Spring 2016.

Cambria Community Council Grant Award

Laura Swartz reported that the Cambria Community Council awarded the Forest Committee $500 for a second year. the 2015 grant was used to fund the interpretive signs.

Pine Forest Interpretative Sign Location
CSD has not responded to requests for locations, per Amanda Rice. Crosby Swartz said he would attend the FFRP board meeting Thursday February 12 and ask that one be placed on the ranch. Director Bruce Mumper, representing FFRP, said signs are generally frowned upon but an exception could be made in this case.  “I think it’s a great sign,” he said. Laura Swartz had a presentation ready for PROS but the meeting was canceled. Amanda Rice suggested talking to CSD director Gail Robinette, who formerly served on PROS.

PG&E Reliability Program

Crosby has not received any information from PG&E. Chief Miller believes the work was done but there may be additional trees yet to be removed.

4.2 Forest Management

SRA Fee Fire Risk Reduction Project

Although the Forest Committee is not specifically mentioned in the SRA Fire Prevention grant application, the Forest Committee is included in the list of nine community partners in the Greenhouse Gas applications. Crosby Swartz said that the Forest Committee will hold public meetings as the project moves forward. Laura Swartz said that the Forest Committee can serve as a liaison between the agencies and the public.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant Application

Alan Peters reports that no decision has been made as to which grant applications will move forward. He expects an answer by Friday. Grant applications are due April 30. An Air Burner being leased for use on the North Coast could be part of the project’s technology.

Fog Moisture Project Planning

Greenspace will pay for three fog catchers. Connie Gannon conferred with the Coastal Commission’s new forest ecologist Laurie Koteen, who is a specialist in pine diseases. Connie will continue contacts for fog research. Analysis can be costly. Amanda Rice suggested a donation drive giving certificates to donors for Saving a Tree.

5.0 New Business

5.1 Motion to Approve CFC Director Candidate

Crosby Swarrz has approached a candidate, a well qualified person who has served on the Forest Committee in the past. That person was not able to attend the meeting but will be invited to the next meeting.

5.2 Director Miller Resignation ­ Status of CCSD Representatives

GM Gruber is adamant about demanding Chief Miller’s resignation from the Forest Committee board. Amanda Rice said she would continue to serve as a director, siting other board members who serve on community boards. CSD director Jim Bahringer recently accepted a position on the Cambria Chamber Tourism Board. The Forest Committee cites its mission statement on every agenda and is an advocate for all points of view in supporting Cambria’s forest. Possible actions include inviting GM Gruber to speak to the committee on management of trees on CSD property and possible future cooperation on grant applications. Candidates for new directors will be sought through current directors bringing others to the meetings, holding meetings in restaurants, meeting with other groups. “We have a compelling, urgent message,” said Crosby Swartz. “How do we manage something that is owned piecemeal but is community wide?” said Amanda Rice.

Kathe Tanner said that The Tribune is exploring the possibility of posting more and longer articles online. Christine Heinrichs will submit meeting summaries to her when she is not able to attend Forest Committee meetings.

Amanda Rice asked for approval to show Mark Miller’s drone video to the Coastal Commission, meeting this week in Pismo Beach. She will include contact information for the Forest Committee, for the benefit of those who watch the commission meeting from other locations.

Tony Church reported that Vari MacNeil had a discussion with a county employee who told her that the county no longer charges for permits for tree removal because they do not send an inspector out. Crosby Swartz will follow up.
5.3 Comments on New Permit Applications

No forest impact of the MUD permit application for installation of electronic equipment at  motel, 6252 Moonstone Beach Dr.

6.0 Unfinished Business

6.1 Locations for Mitigation Tree Planting

Connie Gannon reported that the Cal Fire grant application includes 200 trees. Her workshop application includes 100 tree seedlings.
6.2 Tree Planting Recommendations ­ Evaporation Pond

The location between the State Park Campground and the emergency water project was discussed. Amanda Rice reports that the district engineer liked the idea but no one wanted to follow through on it. She will mention it to Interim Parks Director Brooke Guttierrez when she meets with her on another subject.

7.0 Public Comment – none

8.0 Adjournment 8:09

Next Meeting March 11, 2015

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January 2015 Minutes

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Christine Heinrichs

Cambria Forest Committee

Meeting January 14, 2015, 6:30 PM

Download pdf here Minutes January 2015

Rabobank 1070 Main Street, Cambria, CA 93428

1.0  Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Members attending: Laura and Crosby Swartz,Mark Miller, Bruce Mumper, Christine Heinrichs. Also attending: Vari MacNeil of NCAC and Beautify Cambria,  Tony Church of NCAC as a guest, Connie Gannon of Greenspace, Julie Jorgenson, private citizen and landscape designer.

Cambria Fire Chief Mark Miller informed the committee that Cambria General Manager Jerry Gruber has informed Chief Miller that he now sees a conflict of interest in Chief Miller serving as a Forest Committee director. He required Chief Miller to resign. Crosby Swartz said he will confer with the CSD Board and GM Gruber to explore whether Chief Miller can be allowed to remain a Forest Committee director.

2.0  Previous minutes approved with the change of PG&E representative, who is now John Shoals.

3.0  Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported that the treasury now has a balance of $647.39. She purchased a couple more signs, one of which was re-sold to Camp Ocean Pines. They will post it on their property. She has applied for a small grant from Rabobank to cover monthly $10 bank fees.

4.0  Sub-Committee Reports:

4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Pine Forest Interpretive Sign LocationsThe CFC is awaiting two more sign location recommendations from CCSD, which has not responded to CFC member and CCSD director Amanda Rice’s request. “The good news is that Camp Ocean Pines is putting one up,” said Crosby Swartz

Cambria Community Council Grant Application: Application has been made, awaiting a decision.

PG&E Reliability Program – County Information: Communication with both the county and PG&E is less than the CFC would like. PG&E’s position on planting for mitigation is that they are required to follow state law, but as a courtesy follow county ordinance requiring tree planing mitigation. Where they replant is unclear. Trees that fall down on their own are not included in mitigation but sometimes PG&E plants trees as a matter of good relations. Unclear as to how PG&E decides on where to plant mitigation trees. Crosby Swartz cited the example of 300 trees being planted on a site outside town because CCSD would not agree to having trees planted on property it owns, a process that took three years. Laura Swartz said that CCSD will not allow replanting in Fern Canyon, where trees were removed. The Land Conservancy has turned over responsibility for maintaining its easements to the CCSD, which wants to avoid incurring maintenance costs for the trees. “They are losing millions of dollars in grants to save thousands in maintenance,” she said.

Highway 1 Shoulder Clean-up – Director Miller has received the Encroachment Permit, valid for one year, from Cal Trans, allowing CCC workers to work along the highway. Funds have not yet been allocated.

4.2 Forest Management

Forest Health Grant Meeting: Monday January 19, 2-4 pm at the Fire House. Mark Miller will lead. Director Heinrichs will attend. Greenspace’s Connie Gannon will attend.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction and SRA Fee Grant Programs: Cal Fire advised the Fire Safe Council to proceed with a grant application for $500,000 rather than the $1.2 million in the original concept. That application is due January 27. Monday’s meeting will discuss reducing the scope of the project. The CCC workers pay is not included in that, so the entire project will have about a $1 million value. Money is needed to pay contractors to come with heavy equipment to remove tall trees.

The priority for the Fire Safe Council is the second phase of a project at Park Hill our in the SLO County plain. Phase 1 of that project has been completed and cattlemen out there want Phase 2 to move forward.

Two additional grant concepts remain under consideration.

Fog Moisture Project Meeting: Dr. Neil Ingraham of Fresno State will visit Cambria the weekend of January 24 to discuss the fog monitoring project. He will meet with Connie Gannon and Rick Hawley on Sunday morning to discuss.

5.0  New Business: Director Miller has a colleague who has a drone that he is using to record video on flyovers for aerial viewing. He will connect with him to explore whether he can make a short video clip of Cambria’s forests to illustrate the drought’s damage.

5.1  Comments on New Permit Applications:

Hemme addition and deck addition on Orville will remove two Monterey Pine trees. The applicants will mitigate by planting four new trees. The Orville site also has drainage problems.

The Farmer sun room and deck addition on Romney will remove one large oak tree.

Vari MacNeil of NCAC commented that NCAC has already decided to approve both as within the law, although with reservations due to the loss of trees.

5.2  Tree Planting Recommendations – EWS Evaporation Pond: Director Rice, not in attendance, has indicated interest in recommending species of trees and shrubs to be planted as mitigation around the Emergency Water Plant. Vari MacNeil suggested charging the CCSD a consultant fee. “All the other consultants are getting paid,” she said.

6.0  Unfinished Business

Director Miller led a discussion of the dire state of Cambria’s forest. He conferred with Dr. Chris Dicus of Cal Poly’s Forestry Department, who visited Cambria. He spent six months in Australia during the 2009 fire that wiped out the small town of Marysville. “Marysville is Cambria,” Miller reported that Dicus said.

6.1  Recommend Locations for 40 Mitigation Trees: deferred to gather more information

7.0  Public Comments: Julie Jorgenson said that her husband works for CNN News out of Los Angeles and she will suggest that he do a story on Cambria and the dangerous fire risk, another aspect of the damage done by the drought.

Director Miller said that a Monterey Pine forest will normally burn and renew itself, but with all the people living in Cambria’s forest, that’s not possible. “That doesn’t reduce the need for the forest to renew itself, though” he said.

Crosby Swartz said that we need to increase everyone’s awareness of the problem.

8.0  Adjournment at 7:50 pm

 

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November 2014 Minutes

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes, November 12, 2014. Download pdf here Minutes November 2014

TIME:   6:30 PM

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

1.0  Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Crosby Swartz, Laura Swartz, Mark Miller, Bruce Mumper, Amanda Rice, Christine Heinrichs

2.0  Guest Speaker – Vari MacNeil, President, Beautify Cambria Association

Vari MacNeil’s presentation inspired an hour-long discussion of Cambria’s issues. The Monterey Pine Forest should be a unique identifying symbol of Cambria and central to its vision and branding. New trash cans have been designed that incorporates a planter. A prototype is being built. Amanda Rice is planning town meetings to encourage discussion of changes that could make Cambria more welcoming to tourists and comfortable for residents.

3.0  Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting: approved as corrected.

4.0  Treasurer’s Report” Laura Swartz reports $910.56, a $10 reduction for bank fees.

5.0  Sub-Committee Reports

5.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Review Invitation Letter and Address List: Crosby Swartz will continue to update the list of agencies and organizations previously involved with the Forest Committee and invite them to send a representative to meetings.

Pine Forest Interpretive Sign Location: Ms. Rice has not received approval from CSD General Manager Jerry Gruber for sign placement yet. The water project is taking all his attention. She suggests individual Forest Committee members may contact him. She has a meeting scheduled with  him next week.

Cambria Community Council Grant Application: Laura Swartz is sorking on the application. A second location for a sign could be on FFRP or in the Santa Rosa Creek corridor. The sign could also be used as a tri-fold brochure.

PG&E Reliability Program – County Information: Crosby Swartz has been unable to make contact with PG&E’s new representative, Eric Daniels. No one has seen any cutting yet being done.

Highway 1 Shoulder Clean-up – Director Miller: Cal Trans’ representative Bruce O’Hagen did not attend a scheduled meeting with Chief Miller. Chief Miller is also working with Mike Anderson of the CCC and Dan Turner of Fire Safe. He welcomes Forest Committee members to oversee the project when it comes to fruition. No trees will be cut down. Plantings are possible in the cleared area.

Ecology and Cambria Forum – Director Heinrichs: Ms. Rice has contacted the Unitarian Universalist congregation for permission to use their building for public meetings. Various Cambria groups would have the opportunity to share information about their programs and hear from residents.

5.2 Forest Management

2014/15 Cap & Trade and SRA Grant Programs: Chief Miller will work with Dan Turner, who wrote the original grant application, to submit it to the new programs for funding. Ms. Rice is willing to consult. Chief Miller and Ms. Heinrichs will attend the November 20 Fire Safe meeting and discuss with Mr. Turner.

6.0  New Business

Cambria Water Project: Ms. Rice reported that the project will require screening from the State Park Campground and would be a good place to plant trees. The committee will approach District Engineer Bob Gresens for tree planting within Cambria before adding trees at the project site.

Ms. Rice is unhappy about the many cigarette butts along Highway 1 at the bus stop on Moonstone Beach Drive.

6.1  Set date for next meeting – holiday schedule

No meeting in December. Next meeting January 14. 2015

7.0  Unfinished Business

7.1  Recommend Locations for 40 Mitigation Trees: Approach CSD for sites in Cambria where trees can be planted.

8.0  Public Comments:

Vari MacNeil reported that she is in contact with Neil Ingraham of Fresno State University, who has conducted research on fog drip as a source of grand water recharge. He is willing to do a study in Cambria’s Monterey Pine Forest. Two volunteers and about $1,000 for collection equipment are needed. Rick Hawley has offered to supply these needs from Greenspace. The first results will record data from a year.

9.0  Adjournment

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October 2014 Minutes

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

MEETING MINUTES October 8, 2014 Download pdf here Minutes October 2014

TIME:   6:30 PM

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

1.0  Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Laura and Crosby Swartz, Tony Church, Alan Peters (Cal Fire) JoEllen Butler, Bruce Mumper (FFRP), Amanda Rice, Christine Heinrichs.

2.0  Guest Speaker – Paul Williams, Manager Orkin Horticultural Services

Mr. Williams spoke on Pitch Pine Canker and other pine and oak diseases. His academic and professional background is as a horticulturalist rather than an arborist. He uses chemical fungicides and pesticides to treat Pitch Pine Canker and the Red Turpentine and Ips Engraver beetles that are associated with it. He is aware of the hazards of toxic chemical use. He will consult and evaluate anyone’s trees without charge. (805) 541-3445 ext 1, cell (805) 458-0042, paul.williams@orkinslo.com

3.0  Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes to be revised for approval at November meeting.

4.0  Treasurer’s Report

Laura Swartz reported $920.56. The permanent interpretive sign has been made by The Sign Place in San Luis. $17.71 remains from the Cambria Community Council grant.

5.0  Sub-Committee Reports

5.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Guest Speaker and Publicity for November Meeting

Vari MacNeil will give a presentation on Beautify Cambria Association at November’s meeting.

Review Invitation Letter and Address List

Ms. Rice will ask CSD staff to check for updates on the missing contact information on the CFC list.

Pine Forest Interpretive Sign Location – Sign Delivered

Next a location and method of mounting it will be determined. Amanda Rice will help on location.

Cambria Community Council Grant Application

Ideas for applying for another grant for 2015 were discussed. Another application for continuing the sign project; conservation flags; rack cards and tri-fold brochures are possible.

PG&E Reliability Program – County Information

Art Trinidade is back at work. Locations for planting mitigation trees were discussed.  The Fitzwater Canyon Reserve, the conservation easement along Hwy 1 west of Liemert, the intersection of Burton and Hwy 1 where trees are being removed, Fern Canyon, the area near Laylon’s home are all possible locations. Confer with Rick Hawley at Greenspace for recommendations.

5.2 Forest Management

Western Forestry Leadership Coalition Grant Report

Alan Peters of Cal Fire has no report as to why our application was not funded or which ones were.

2014/15 Cap & Trade and SRA Grant Programs

These are eight separate programs which have funds to be distributed. See separate communication for links and details. Proposals are due in mid-November. Cambria’s various agencies and organizations (CFC, Cal Fire, FFRP, Greenspace, others) will collaborate on one or more proposals under the leadership of one organization, to be determined. NeoNative Monterey Pine Forests, weed removal, wildlife/urban interface are among possible projects.

6.0  New Business

7.0  Unfinished Business

7.1  Recommend Locations for 40 Mitigation Trees for the 20 pine trees scheduled for PG&E removal

Potential for some at 3261 Pine St (East Ranch)

8.0  Public Comments

Several members of the public attended to hear Mr. Williams presentation and left after that.

9.0  Adjournment

Next Meeting November 12, 2014

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