September 2014 Minutes

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

MEETING MINUTES September 10, 2014 Download pdf here Minutes September 2014

TIME:   6:30 PM

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

1.0  Call to Order and Establish a Quorum

Members attending: Crosby Swartz; Laura Swartz; Mark Miller; Christine Heinrichs; Bruce Mumper, FFRP. Others attending: Laylon Whitaker; Jeff Hellman; Tony Church

2.0  Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting: Deferred to the next meeting.

3.0  Treasurer’s Report: Total: $1,153.22 includes $24.32 petty cash. $218 remains from the Cambria Community Council grant.

4.0  Sub-Committee Reports

4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations:

Guest Speaker and Publicity for October Meeting: Paul Williams of Orkin, Inc, formerly Nordella’s, and is an expert who can talk on tree health and care. He will be invited for the October meeting. Vari MacNeil of Beautify Cambria will be invited to give her PowerPoint presentation at the November meeting.

Mark Miller was contacted by Cal Trans with an offer to participate in cleaning up the back of businesses along Highway 1. Linda Findlay of the Tourism Board offered $1,500 grant, could offer more if needed. Miller will proceed with plans.

The Fire Department will have a Chipping Event September 29-30. Residents need to place material to be chipped at the edge of the road. Application required, available at Fire Department and CCSD. Application deadline September 26.

Location for Pine Forest Interpretive Sign:

The ideal location is by the bridge that connects to East Ranch off Main Street. Amanda Rice, not in attendance, has been guiding the approval needed for this placement. Crosby Swartz has identified a San Luis Obispo business that can make a durable sign for reasonable cost.

Cambria Community Council Grant Application:

Committee members are asked to come up with ideas for projects that could be funded by these small grants before October. The forest interpretive sign was funded last year.

PG&E Reliability Program Information:

Mark Miller has a list of 20 trees PG&E   has identified as hazardous to be removed. He visited each one on the list and added one of his own. The list was shared with all present. Miller feels that PG&E has compiled a thoughtful list of only the most problem trees.

4.2 Forest Management

Western Forestry Leadership Coalition Grant Application

Fiscallini Ranch Preserve and Greenspace:

Alan Peters has written and submitted the application. It is one of five submitted, two will receive awards. Even if this application is not successful, additional grants are expected to become available in the future.

5.0  New Business

5.1  Comments on New Permit Applications:

Ken Persinger’s new construction at 628 Huntington appears to have already removed most trees. Tony Church reports problems on other aspects of the application which may result in a large tree being removed. Further information needed. Art Trinidade, enforcement officer for the county, has not been available on his job for some months. No facts available.

5.2  Nominations for Recording Secretary:

Crosby raised the possibility of taking on the role of recording secretary if someone else would like to be co-chair, or hiring someone to transcribe the meeting recordings, or asking a member to provide Action Minutes by filling in comments on the agenda. Christine Heinrichs volunteered to submit Action Minutes.

6.0  Unfinished Business

6.1  Recommend Locations for Required Tree Plantings:

Add Laylon Whitaker’s address, 3261 Pine Street, to the list for plantings.

7.0  Public Comments:

Laylon Whitaker attended the meeting and was heard first. Her home was affected by the FFRP’s removal of eucalyptus trees. She is very unhappy about the removal of the trees, which were originally planted in the 1930s as a wind break. She has pursued every agency without satisfaction. She finds the public sympathetic and the CCSD and FFRP dismissive. She was not notified of the removal, which was apparently done under a permit at least 10 years old. The removal shocked the community and remains contentious.

8.0  Adjournment

Next Meeting October 8, 2014

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August 2014 Minutes

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes, August 13, 2014 Download pdf here Minutes August 2014

TIME:   6:30 PM

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

1.0  Call to Order and Establish a Quorum: Members: Crosby Swartz; Laura Swartz; Rick Hawley; Mark Miller; JoEllen Butler; Amanda Rice. Others: Alan Peters of Cal Fire; Vari MacNeil of Beautify Cambria; Craig and Lynn Cuny; Kathe Tanner for the Cambrian.

2.0  Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting: Meeting was recorded but minutes are not available.

3.0  Treasurer’s Report: Laura, please insert here.

4.0  Sub-Committee Reports

4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations:

Discussion of tree health. Public safety aspect of fire danger. The possibility that an entire generation of trees could be lost due to drought.

Cambrian Article on Drought – CFC Input

The committee offered various thoughts on saving trees to be included in Kathe’s article for the Cambrian. Trees can be watered. Trees stressed by drought are subject to disease and infestation.

Comment Letter on Water Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration:

Amanda Rice states that the Emergency Water Project is not growth inducing. She finds it difficult to get information from the District. Add comment letter to minutes.

PG&E Reliability Program Information:

Crosby Swartz was unable to get information on the Reliability Project. The continued absence of county enforcement officer Art Trinidade has ended communication with the county.

4.2 Forest Management

Eucalyptus Removal – Pros and Cons

JoEllen Butler defended the FFRP’s eucalyptus removal: that it was required as a condition of a $500,000 park grant from the County and was included in a permit for the park. She apologized for the failure to notify residents.  Craig and Lynn Cuny commented their dismay. “It’s a horror,” Mr. Cuny said.

FFRP Forest Maintenance Program:

Butler discussed the issues on the Preserve. Plantings done before adequate knowledge have grown into a crowded stand of trees that need to be thinned. FFRP has not yet hired a forester and is not looking to do so in the near future.

5.0  New Business

5.1  Comments on New Permit Applications:

None include forest impacts. Crawford, remodel upper deck and roof.

6.0  Unfinished Business

6.1  Recommend Locations for Required Tree Plantings:

After a lengthy discussion of the difficult issues, the committee deferred this discussion to September.

7.0  Public Comments:

Taken during the discussion of agenda items.

8.0  Adjournment

Next Meeting September 10, 2014

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2012 Meeting Minutes

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Swartz

June 2012 Meeting Minutes 

April 2012 Meeting Minutes

February 2012 Meeting Minutes

January 2012 Meeting Minutes

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Meeting Minutes Archive – 2006 – 2007 – 2008

Posted on July 11, 2011 by WebMaven

Click below to download the meeting minutes from 2006, 2007 and/or 2008 Cambria Forest Committee meetings.

2006 CFC Minutes Archive

2007 CFC Minutes Archive

2008 CFC Minutes Archive

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May 2010 Meeting Minutes

Posted on May 31, 2010 by WebMaven

Cambria Forest Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
May 12, 2010

Rabobank Meeting Room
1070 Main St. Cambria, Calif.

Directors Present: Brad Seek, Rob Trask, Crosby Swartz, Laura Swartz, Kathe , Mark Miller, Amanda Rice, Bill Schassberger, Tim O’Keefe, Rick Hawley.

Guests Present: Bruce Gibson, Bob Putney, Alan Peters, Kathe Tanner.

1.0    Meeting called to order 6:03pm
2.0    April 14th minutes approved Schassberger/Trask Unan.
3.0    Treasurer’s Rpt. There is currently $2452.04 in the bank account

4.0 Sub Committee Rpts. Information/Action
4.1 Education/Planting/Mitigation
Dir. Hawley held workshops on April 27th  but no contract workers showed up(Lot Clearing). Dir. Miller(Fire Chief) believes that all the workers have already received training. Dir. Schassberger emphasized the before and after photos taken on  cleared lots will indicate whether the workers are being trained.
PG&E Mitigation: Dir. Rice  C. Aispero to look into whether PG&E applied for a permit. Dir. Hawley contacted Lynn Cullen(PG&E). The utility will have to mitigate for 300 trees($7500) and would like to work with CFC to help implement the mitigation. CFC will accept the $7500 from PG&E to mitigate the 300 trees(Schassberger/O’Keefe)unanimous. Art Trinidade (Co. Code Enf.) will be contacted on how the money can be spent to satisfy the mitigation compliance.
Survey Costs: Dir. Hawley received a bid from an appraiser of $5000 to survey a 4.5 ac. Parcel proposed for open space.
Suitable Lots for planting: Dir. Rathbun and Mr. Clift not present for the update.
4H involvement: Mr. Covell not present for the update.

4.2 Forest Mgt.Plan/ Sup. Bruce Gibson
Dir. Hawley suggested that an implemented Forest Management Plan could be funded by forming an independent district, a district associated with CCSD, or a CSA
Mr. Gibson stated that he has supported districts and will in the future. Gibson further stated that a district may function better if it is aligned with an existing agency such as the CCSD. The CCSD could be the agency that processes the requirements of Prop. 218. He pointed out that special districts run the risk of becoming inadequately managed, staffed, and/or financed.
Mr. Gibson asked about the area to be covered by the district, the goals of the FMP,  the public benefit, funding, and district responsibilities.
Dir. Hawley stated that a district would probably cover the Urban Reserve Line (URL). The URL would then be divided into management units with an emphasis on those units that require the greatest need. Other parts of the forest that are owned privately could also be included.
Dir. Hawley stated that the goal of a Forest Management District(FMD) would be the sustainability and regeneration of the forest, addressing hazardous trees, managing fuel load….The public benefit would include: managing wildlife, reducing fire hazards(resulting in affordable property insurance) maintaining a healthy forest which could improve property values….
Mr. Gibson emphasized the reduction of fire hazards as clearly being a public benefit and may be a good organizing principle in which to justify a district and to work cooperatively with the CCSD.
Dirs. Schassberger, Hawley, and Trask stated that an FMD could relieve County Code Enforcement responsibilities pertaining to the Cambria forest. Also, an FMD could take on more of the fuel reduction responsibilities currently being done by Cambria Fire.
Dir. Hawley emphasized the need for a professional Forester/ecologist to implement this program.
Mr. Gibson pointed out the City of San Luis Obispo’s Natural Resources Management section as a possible model for the FMD. Other models are possible but all would have to adhere to state statutes.
Mr. Gibson would ask County Council to review and comment on  a drafted model of the FMD assuming that they had the authority to do so.
Dir. Hawley suggested that and FMD would have a sunset provision which would allow the public to decide whether or not to continue the program after a few years.

4.3 Annual Lot Clearing
Dir. Miller passed around the time frame schedule.   The number of lots to be addressed for 2010 is 1852. 15 lots merged with improved properties and will be under Cal Fire jurisdiction. Capt. Bitto will be getting out more to make sure parcels are being flagged and that before and after photos are being taken.

5.0    New Business
Dir. Miller stated that the proposal to remove fallen trees on the Fiscalini Ranch using a Masticator was dropped. Dir. Trask asked to review this proposal using another piece of equipment that would have less impact such as a spider. The area could be small enough to qualify as a test plot. Dir. Miller stated that this could be looked at during the next funding cycle (December/January). Mr. Peters stated that a demonstration project from a private contractor might be a possibility in the interim. Dir. Hawley stated that PG&E might have money available to fund the demo.
Dir. O’Keefe announced that UC extension will be holding a demonstration using wildlife trail cameras on 5/25 at 8am in San Miguel(Miller ranch).

6.0    Dir. L. Swartz contacted Co. Public Works to attend a meeting that could put some of the Fern Cyn area on the list for undergrounding power lines. This area should qualify as a special circumstance.
Dir. Schassberger contacted Art Trinidade re: having a tree removed without a permit and is not hazardous to a structure. He was advised that the Sheriff should be called and photograph the tree(s) in question as evidence.
Dir. Miller stated that the Eucalyptus removal project was canceled.

7.0    Meeting adjourned. 8:12pmTrask/Seek

Next scheduled meeting at the Rabobank  June 9, 2010  6pm.

Respectfully submitted by Brad Seek

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April 2010 Meeting Minutes

Posted on April 30, 2010 by WebMaven

Cambria Forest Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 14, 2010

Rabobank Meeting Room
1070 Main St. Cambria, Calif.

Directors Present: Brad Seek, Rob Trask, Crosby and Laura Swartz, Bill Schassberger, Tim O’Keefe, Art Trinidade, Rick Hawley, JoEllen Butler,

Guests Present: Kathe Tanner, Ralph Covell, Ben Boer, Catherine Ryan Hyde, Muril Clift, Erwin Ohannesian, Gee Gee Ashleck, Tommy Moreno.

1.0    Meeting called to order 6:05pm

2.0    April 14th 2010 minutes approved Trask/Swartz

3.0    Treasurers Rpt. $2577 in the Bank Account.

4.0    Sub Committee Rpts. Information/Action

4.1    Education/Planting/Mitigation
a.    Dir. Hawley  will be conducting an onsite training class(April 27th) to the lot clearing contractors with an emphasis on conserving native plants. Attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the 2hr. session.

b.    Collaboration proposal with potential PG&E  mitigation money. Dir. Hawley stated that Greenspace has been approached with a donation of approximately 5 acres of forested property. He asked the Board to consider funding the cost of a needed lot line adjustment and appraisal on this property. The land would be open to public benefit. Dir. Trinidade stated that Minor Use fees can be waved on a project like this. CFC Board members approved to be the recipient of PG&E Mitigation money possibly to pay for the survey. When the cost of doing the survey is known CFC will vote on weather to fund it. Schassberger/Trinidade.

c.    Update on lots suitable for planting trees. Dir. Schassberger stated that a list of eligible CCSD lots would be needed(mitigation)  in the event that there were a large number of seedlings  to be planted. Private owners could simply be contacted through the newspaper. Dir. Trinidade stated that the county prefers to have offsite mitigation planting on lots that have no development rights. Mr. Boer suggested the possibility of using the Fiscalini Ranch as an offsite mitigation property with public/Coastal Conservancy  approval and a change in the CC&r’s. Dir. Hawley suggested that the subcommittee search out the appropriate properties for mitigation planting and report back to the CFC Board.

d.    4H commitment to planting trees. Dir. Covell contacted the Outdoor Adventure group of 4H who expressed an interest in planting trees. Approximately 40 individuals would be involved.

4.2    Forest Management
a.    Funding a special district. Dir. Hawley contacted Julie Rodewald(Co. Recorder) re: an Assessment District. She provided some names from the State who might assist the Board on prop 218 requirements. Dir. Trinidade  reminded that Supr. Gibson will be attending the May meeting to discuss the matter. He also believed that a representative from Co. Public Works could offer some expertise on the subject.

b.    CCSD meeting issue. Dir. Hawley  was unable to address the Board in the last meeting due to some confusion in the way that the Cambria Fire Dept. arrived at the decision of removing Pine logs on Cambria properties.

4.3  Annual Lot Clearing   Dir. Miller is not present to discuss the revised annual letter to property owners. Dir. Hawley will ask the Fire Chief to email a copy of the letter to CFC Board members. Dir. Schassberger stated that the contents of the letter were rearranged to emphasize the conservation of seedlings and to leave logs 12” or greater in place. The Fire Chief later decided(after subcommittee meeting) that the larger logs will have to be removed. CCSD Dir. Clift  understands that the decision to remove the larger logs is because there is so much fuel on the ground this year. Kathe Tanner(Cambrian) will contact Chief Miller for further clarification.

5.0 New Business

Eucalyptus removal on public property.  Mr. Boer(FFRP Ranch Mgr.) stated that the project proposal has been scaled down to cover only the ranch on the west side of hwy 1. Approximately 72 trees will be removed in a specific area(50’x400’) along with other invasive plants and will be replaced with native vegetation. This is the current proposal and is pending approval from the funding agency(NOAA). Dir. Hawley suggested leaving the large trees as dead snags for nesting.  Consensus from CFC group on the proposal is favorable.

6.0    Public Comment. None.

7.0    Other

Mr. Covell stated that a Nature Conservancy representative is conducting a Fuel Model on the pine forest portion of his  ranch(Covell Ranch). He will inform CFC on the results of this study.

Tom Morena is doing a school project and is asking members  for any statistical information pertaining to the Monterey Pine Forest in Cambria.

Dir. Seek  will receive $125.00 reimbursement for the purchase of 1000 peat pots. The pots will hold  seedlings that will be planted on Fiscalini Ranch or other public places. Covell/Schassberger

Dir. Schassberger passed out copies of the CFC by-laws.

8.0    Adjournment  7:25pm Butler/Trask

Next Meeting will be May 12, 2010 at the Rabobank.

Respectfully submitted by Brad Seek

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March 2010 Meeting Minutes

Posted on March 31, 2010 by WebMaven

Cambria Forest Committee
Regular Meeting Minutes
March 10, 2010
Rabobank Meeting Room
1070 Main St. Cambria, Calif.

Directors Present: Brad Seek, Rick Hawley, Amanda Rice, Steve Bitto, Galen Rathbun, Rob Trask, Laura Swartz, Crosby Swartz, Bill Schassberger.

Guests Present: Alan Peters, Muril Clift. Ralph Covell.

1.0    Meeting called to order 6:05

2.0    February 10, 2010 minutes approved with the following corrections: Crosby and Laura are working with SLO Public Works (Not PG&E) to underground utilities. Greenspace planted 300 pines on the Warren Ranch. Hawley/Rice

3.0     Treasurer Rpt. Bank acct. same as last month: $2577. Rice/Rathbun

4.0    Sub Committee Rpts.- Information/action

4.1    Review/Revise Sub-Committee members
4.2     Forest Management Plan(Hawley, Okeefe, Covell, Rice)
Dir. Hawley made a presentation to CCSD Board Meeting on the benefits of an FMP. It was posted  on the Greenspace website and there will be an article in the Cambrian.
Dir. Hawley will contact Julie Rodewald (Co. Recorder) to ask about attending a CFC meeting to discuss forming an FMP Assessment District.
4.3    Annual Vacant Lot Abatement – (Miller/Bitto, Butler, Seek, Trask, Covell) Capt. Bitto and Chief Miller met with CFC members to correct any differences in what was being sent to property owners and what was being sent to contractors. Also the wording in the letter(s) were changed to everyone’s satisfaction. Capt. Bitto also expressed the need to expand on the information at the CCSD website that would augment the abatement letter being sent to property owners.
Cambria Fire was advised by legal council that they had Citation authority. Dir. Rathbun stated that a number of  Due Process steps needed to be taken before issuing a citation.

Capt. Bitto  stated that the Fire Chief changed his mind about allowing some logs greater than 12” to remain on vacant lots(as was agreed earlier in a CFC subcommittee meeting) to having all downed logs greater than 12” be removed. Two reasons were deduced for the change: One  being that the administration of this requirement needed to be consistent with what was being expected of homeowners, and the other was because of the large number of downed logs that needed to be addressed. Dirs. Hawley and Rathbun agreed with the excessive log concept but didn’t believe that it should be universally applied to every log on every lot. Dir. Trask asked if the unimproved lot owners and the homeowners  requirements would  be different anyway since they are under different jurisdictions. Dir. Schassberger recommended putting this issue on agenda for further discussion in April when Chief Miller returns. Dir. Rice suggested that the subcommittee meet with the Fire Chief before the next meeting.
Alan Peters (Cal Fire) stated that he is still new on the job and will be able to address his department’s view toward fuel reduction in the areas under his jurisdiction within the next couple of months. He generally favors education over enforcement and reasonable compromise.
Dir. Hawley stated that the countywide Fire Safe Council emphasized the need for more education in the last meeting.
4.4    Tree Planting and Education(Butler, Trask, Hawley, Schassberger, Crosby and Laura Swartz)
A.    CFC oversight of mitigation planting. Dir. Rice stated that the Environmental Coordinator Ellen Carrol would put forward any plan that CFC would propose. Dir. Rice will ask Carrol about the scope of the project(# of trees per year, money paid for the work, administrative fees, inspections, …..) and report back to CFC for discussion.
Dir. Hawley wrote a letter to PG&E’s Lynn Cullen re: tree removal and trim list. but has not received a response.
Dir. Rathbun and Hawley discussed the current tree removal activities that are unpermitted and unmitigated.
Dir. Rice stated that the International Society of Arboriculture will accept and review complaints against certified Arborists.
Mr. Covell stated that the 4H group may be looking for a project. Nancy Taylor is the group leader. CFC invited 4H(Outdoor/Adventure sub group, Debbie Botros) to get involved in any or all activities(seed gathering, planting and caring).
Dir. Hawley will be teaching a certification class to lot abatement contractors Sometime in April on a Saturday. He also stated that Greenspace planted 700 Monterey  pine seeds in pots for possible mitigation use.
Dir. Rathbun Expressed the need to establish a public registry of lots that could receive trees required through mitigation. Mr. Clift   stated that CCSD could assist in supplying a list of District lots(and possibly retired/merged lots) that would be good candidates for the project. Alan Peters Suggested using an available map that identifies  unimproved parcels which could then be overlayed with an aerial photo  to identify the candidate parcels. Dir. Hawley will supply a list of Greenspace lots.

B.Progress rpt. On planted seedlings.      Dir. Seek reported that about 70% of the pine seedlings survived on Fiscalini Ranch. The understory shrubs planted off the Tipton trail were also doing well. Dir. Schassberger reported that about 60% of the trees at the grammar school also survived. Laura Swartz reported that most of the planted seedlings in Fern Cyn. are doing well but should be weeded. Further plantings may be possible in April at the grammar school.

5.0    Previous Business
B.    Dir. Rice will contact David Church for input on assessment district.
6.0    Public Comment.   Dir Rice asked for input on the removal of Eucalyptus trees along Santa Rosa Creek.  Dir. Hawley and Rathbun  favored removal. Dir. Hawley also suggested that the stumps be treated with Garland to prevent sprouting and that the treating be performed by a licensed applicator.

7.0      CFC Elections  Brad Seek- Secretary Hawley/Schassberger- Unanimous. Rob Trask-Treasurer Hawley/ Rathbun- unanimous. Rick Hawley-Vice Chairman-Rathbun/Schassberger-unanimous.  Dir. Schassberger is the resigning the Chair. Position. No current nominees for the Chairman position.

Mr. Clift invited Dir. Hawley to speak at the next CCSD Board Meeting with regards to the Forest Management Plan.

8.0    Adjournment  Rice/Swartz 7:59pm.

Next Meeting on April14, 2010  6pm at the Rabobank

Respectfully submitted by Brad Seek.

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February 2010 Meeting Minutes

Posted on February 28, 2010 by WebMaven

Cambria Forest Committee

Regular Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2010

Location

Rabobank Meeting Room

1070 Main St.Cambria,Ca.

Directors present: Brad Seek, Rob Trask, Amanda Rice, Mark Miller, Rick Hawley, JoEllen Butler, Laura  and Crosby Swartz,Bill Schassberger.

Guests Present: Janine Jacobs, Muril Clift, and Ralph Covell

1.0Meeting called to order: 6:13

2.0 January 10, 2010 minutes approved(Miller/Rice).

3.0 Treasurer Rpt. $1500 PG&E check was deposited. Account is $2577.

4.0 Subcommittee rpts.

4.1 Review/Revise members. Moved to March meeting.

4.2 Cambria FMP.

  1. Contacting Bruce Gibson and Julie Rodewald:No information this time.
  2. Contacting David Church. No information at this time.
  3. Advisory Committee status. Members Discussed ways  to represent CFC concrns either directly with Bruce Gibson or with North Coast Advisory Council. Mr. Covell expressed concern about adding another advisory group to  the Supervisor.
  4. Dir.Hawley passed out updated “benefits to implementing the CFMP” and suggested that CFC also draft a list of items that could occur if the plan wasn’t adopted. Mr. Clift suggested that the benefit list be presented at future CCSD meetings and then be posted on CCSD Webpage.

4.2 Annual Lot Clearing

  1. PG&E Discretionary Permit update. Dir. Rice Stated that information would be available at Bruce Gibson’s office next week.
  2. PG&E Compliance inf. Annual inspection completed, and all work will be identified by the end of March. Dir. Hawley stated that a qualified member of the  community should be given an opportunity to inspect  trees along with PG&E. Dir. Hawley will write a letter to Lynn Cullen (PG&E) requesting joint inspection.

Dir. Rice suggested that The Cambrian  could publish an article providing information that allows property owners to deal more effectively with PG&E  during the Compliance program. Dir. Sccassberger will contact Greg Saenz(PG&E) and the newspaper to insure that property owners are being properly informed.

Laura and Crosby Swartz are continuing to work with PG&E to put power lines underground.

  1. Lot Clearing Subcommittee will meet with Fire Cpt. Bitto re:        “Request for Proposal” document. Subcommitte  will also meet with   Cambria Fire to discuss temporarily removing logs  12”-36” in diameter  from Cambria lots.

4.3. Tree Planting and Education

A. A  letter (to Environmetal Coordinator Ellen Carrol) asking that CFC take over the duties of Mitigation Planting will be drafted by Dir. Rice.

5.0 Previous Buisness. None

6.0           Public comment. None

7.0           Other. CCSD Dir. Clift stated that the current Ranch Manager(CCSD) will be retiring in 1 1/2  years. He encouraged CFC to lobby  for a change in the job description for that position. New duties could include some of the lot clearing responsibilities  that is being done by the Fire Dept. The new title could be “Resource Mgr”.

CFC directors discussed the kind of an emergency that would open up the terrace road  on the Fiscallini Ranch to residents.

Dir. Miller discussed the proposed use of a Masticator to thin trees on the Fiscalini Ranch. Dir Butler will ask FFRP directors about this proposal. Dir. Hawley stated that the Masticator can do substantial root damage to surrounding trees and plants.

8.0 Adjournment 8:00 pm Clift/Rice

Next meeting is March 10,2010  at 6:00pm

Respectfully submitted by Brad Seek

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October 2009 Meeting Minutes

Posted on November 30, 2009 by WebMaven

Cambria Forest Committee
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 28, 2009

LOCATION
Cambria CSD Suite #204
1316Tamson Drive
Cambria, CA 93428
DIRECTORS PRESENT: Brad Seek. Mark Miller. Galen Rathbun. Art Trinidade. Bill  Schassberger. JoEllen Butler
Guests Present: Lynn Cullen, Laura Swartz, Crosby Swartz, Kathe Tanner, Judy Monaco, Janine Jacobs, Amanda Rice.
1.0 Meeting called to order: 6:05
2.0 August 26, 2009 minutes are approved (Butler/Miller)
3.0 PG&E received the old cash cards and will issue new ones.
4.0 Sub Committee Rpts.
4.1 Dir. Schassberger handed out a list of benefits (drafted by dir. Hawley) to the public  when implementing the Forest Management Plan. He encouraged directors and guests to add to the list and bring it back to the next meeting.
5.1 Report from PG&E rep. (Lynn Cullen) on recent “Vegetation Management Action”. Reliability is a system-based program that started in 2007. The objective is to reduce outages that had been primarily caused by trees falling on the power lines. Between 2004-2006 there were 7 outages. 5 of those outages occurred during the fire season. 58 tree trims and 14 live tree removals occurred under reliability inNov/Dec of2007. Subsequent outages in 2008 and 2009 led to the tree removals that took place this year.
Targeted trees were Monterey Pines that had root or trunk failure, multiple stems, poor root structure, moderate to severe lean and Gall Rust. 76 trees were removed this year. Property owners were contacted and agreements were signed. Dir. Schassberger pointed out that some trees were cut without properly owner consent. Laura Swartz asked who
gave the homeowners permission to cut down trees without mitigation and permits.
Dir. Trinadade(County Code Enforcement) inspected all the trees that PG&E requested and approved about  half of those trees to be removed.
The County had a subsequent discussion with the Coastal Commission and it was decided that a discretionary/land use permit would be required (under the Coastal Ordinance). It would address this year’s and any future reliability projects in Cambria. Mitigation would include a 6:1 tree replacement ratio. Any reliability project covering more than 10,000 sq.ft. (as measured by the canopy) would require a discretionary permit which includes Public notification, departmental review, andinput from other agencies such as CFC.
The permitting process will need to be completed prior to any activities in the future. Most of Cambria willbe treated as an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA)  and therefore most projects of this kind will require Environmental Review. Dept.  Recommendation could be anything from Negative Declaration to Environmental Impact Report.
County Planning Commission will have the final authority to approve the permit.
Once the process is completed the approved permit will be ongoing and last indefinitely. The parameters in the approved permit cannot be amended except by the applicant with county approval.
Dir. Trinadade pointed out the Forest Management Plan could be used as a basis  or justification for the way projects, such as Reliability would be handled.
Cullen expressed the possibility of undergrounding lines as away to reduce outages butthis comes with some challenges such as high installation expense, root damage and maintenance problems.
Dir. Rathbun expressed concern about Reliability being done year after year as this would rapidly deplete existing mature trees. He also emphasized the need for mitigation onwhat has already been done.
Fern Canyon issues. With regard to who has the approval authority to remove trees on Conservation easements, Ms. Cullen suggested that Cambria CSD (who has the maintenance contract) review the conservation agreement with the Land Conservancy.
Cullen concluded after conducting an audit that the cut logs must be removed, as it was a condition oftheir contract agreement. Other logs will also be removed on the Ardath corridor as well. Directors and Guests expressed concern over the damage that would be created in removing the logs especially if the ground is wet. Dirs. Rathbun and Schassberger suggested that as many logs as possible be left in place to rot. Dir. Miller didn’t believe that the logs left in place would pose a fire hazard. The Swartz’s wanted logs that were along the right ofway and leaning against standing trees, removed.
Ms. Cullen responded to complaints regarding a lack of public notification that PG&E  would do a better job of informing the community in advance of any forest projects unrelated to the regular compliance program.
Dir. Schassberger asked that PG&E and the County review the 9 questions expressed in the previous meeting to make sure that the concerns were adequately answered.
4.2 Annual lot clearing Covered in the PG&E report

4.3 Tree Planting and Education
a. Fiscalini Ranch-Planting on Nov 29 at 10am-12noon Over 350 trees to be planted with 53 sign upvolunteers. Dir. Butler is coordinating. Meet at Tipton trailhead.
b. Grammar School- Nov 21 at the school 10am-12noon Dir. Schassberger will coordinate.
c. Fern Canyon- Dec 19 9:30-10:30am. Blair McCormick will be coordinating.
d. Cambria teenagers from the Youth Center. They will be used either to plant at the Grammar school or on the Fiscalini Ranch.
e. County and State Codes document presented to CCSD Directors by Galen Rathbun. Amanda Rice Volunteered to put the codes on the NCAC website and possibly other web sites. Dir. Rathbun invited anyone email him with a request for the codes and he will reply with a PDF.
5.0 Previous Business
5.2 Abbreviation ofthe CFC Mission Statement. Dir. Miller will bring the draft for the next meeting.
5.3 New CFC meeting location and dates. Next meeting to be held 6pm at the Rabo Bank. Future location and dates will be discussed.
6.0 Public Comment
7.0 Other. Amanda Rice thanked Fiscalini Ranch and CFC members for attending the 350 event. People were very pleased with the tree donations and the various signups.
8.0 Meeting adjourned 7:57pm

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August 2009 Meeting Minutes

Posted on September 11, 2009 by WebMaven

Cambria Forest Committee
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
OF
August 26,2009

LOCATION
Cambria CSD Suite #204
131 6 Tamson Drive
Cambria, CA 93428
DIRECTORS PRESENT: Grea Saenz. Brad Seek. Bill Schassberaer. Galen Rathbun. Rick Hawlev. Pat Bouldin. JoEllen Butler. Mark Miller.
GUESTS PRESENT: Muril Clift. Mike Rice. Amanda Rice. Crosby Swartz. Laura Swartz. Joiie Martinez. Alan Peters, Phil Veneris.
1.0 Meeting called to order 6:06 pm
2.0 May 27th minutes approved (No Quorum June and July)
Public Comment: PG&E reps. Greg Saenz and Jojie Martinez discussed the new Reliability program and how it was implemented in Cambria during August. The program  implemented tree removal and limb cutting primarily to reduce potential outages, which is different from the ongoing Compliance program.
Dir. Rathbun and Mr. Clift explained that the community should have been informed before the project began, not after. Mr. Clift, Mr. Rice, the Swartz’s, Dir. Miller, and Dir. Hawley complained about the problems being created by leaving an excessive amount of the trees on the around (increased expenses for program /owners, a broodery for bark beetles, roadhazards, damage to healthy trees,
increased fire hazards, logging, and an investigation by the Coastal Commission
for CEQA violations.) Mr. Clift and Dir. Hawley expressed a need to mitigate the
problem which would include removing much bf the downed trees at the utility’s
expense, and planting trees to replace the ones that were taken out. Mr. Clift and
Dir Rathbun asked if the Reliability program is subject to existing tree removal
procedures.
Dir. Saenz and Mr. Martinez recognize the problems. They explained that an audit of the contractor (Mountain Firewood) was being conducted. Saenz stated that homeowners signed an agreement to have trees removed. Those agreements will be reviewed. PG&E received a Permits(s) from County Code Enforcement (signed by Art Trinidade) The CCSD, Land Conservancy, and local newspaper were not contacted prior to work. PG&E will report back to the community as early as in a couple of weeks.
3.0 Treasurer Report. Treasurer was not present
4.0 Sub Committee Reports
4.1 Cambria Forest Mgt. Plan (FMP). Dir. Schassberger suggested that each director come up with 3 or 4 ideas on how the FMP can benefit the community. Dir. Hawley reminded that the committee discussed having a symposium/workshop earlier. The symposium could have a series of speakers who would discuss community benefits such as clean water, shading, soil conservation, flood control, effective interface with agencies, effective carbon
cycle.
4.2 Annual Lot Clearing. Dir. Schassberger discussed the need for the subcommittee to meet concerning contractor specifications. Dir. Miller asked members if they had any observations regarding this years lot clearing program. Dir. Hawley stated that some of the contractors improved their methods but others had not. Dir. Rathbun expressed the need to coordinate the RFP. All directors agreed that it would better to extend the deadline for fire clearance but administrative problems prevent that at this time. Cal Fire reps. stated that their vegetation removal policy is now being implemented on a year round basis.
4.3. Tree Planting and Education. Dir. Schassberger said that the Monterey Pines that were planted at the grammar school are being tended and doing well. Dir. Hawley stated that Greenspace could provide more trees for further planting at the school. He also said that there may be more trees available to plant in Fern Canyon. In addition Greenspace will be planting another 500 trees in the San Simeon Creek area.
Dir. Rathbun stated that he adopted a pocket park near his home and is planting trees. He suggested to the Swartz’s that they do the same near their Fern Canyon home.
4.4 Membership Outreach Dir. Bouldin stated that the list is complete with the exception of a contact for APCD.
5.0 Old Business
5.1 Compilation of state codes pertaining to the Forest will be distributed5.0 Old Business
5.1 Compilation of state codes pertaining to the Forest will be distributed in the October meeting to the directors. Mr. Clift suggested that the codes could be presented to CCSD staff and the public at the next CCSD Director meeting on October 1st. Dir. Rathbun will make the presentation. Amanda Rice invited the committee to send a representative to speak to NCAC.
5.2 Revision of Mission Statement. Dir. Bouldin Suggested that the current statement remain as is in the By Laws but be abbreviated in the Directory. Dir. Miller agreed to draft the abbreviated version for the next meeting.
6.0 Public comment.
7.0 The Cambria Forest committee thanks County Code Enforcement (Art Trinidade) for printing the compendium of regulations pertaining to the Forest.
8.0 Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm
Next meeting September 23rd

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