Minutes January 2020

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes January 2020

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2020, 6:30 PM

Mechanics Bank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria

The meeting was called to order and a Quorum established by attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, Kitty Connolly, Andrea Wogsland, and Christine Heinrichs. Also attending were: CSD Board President and liaison Harry Farmer and CSD Director Donn Howell; Dan Turner, business manager for county Fire Safe Council, Alan Peters, SLU Unit Forester for Cal Fire, and Jim Neumann of San Luis Obispo Fire Safe Council; Oliver Curley, Greenspace intern; and Cambrians Greg Randall, Allison Dallmann, Linda Poppenheimer, and Tory Poppenheimer.

Public and Director Comments: Linda Poppenheimer took a group photo to use with her blog on environmental issues.

Minutes of December Meeting were approved after several amendments. Laura Swartz abstained.

Treasurer’s Report:

Laura Swartz reported that she deposited, $266 to the account, from directors’ donations to defray insurance and sales of Invasive Weed handbooks and a license plate frame bringing the $826.60 balance up to $1,091.60.

She reported that although another organization had reported that the Cambria Forest Committee’s nonprofit tax status had lapsed, she checked and found it in good standing.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations 

Invasive Weed Guide Sales: always looking for additional places to sell them.

County Permit Reviews: Andrea Wogsland will forward permit applications she receives.

Forest Management

       Fuel Reduction Project Guidelines:

Dan Turner said that the Monterey Pine Tree Mortality Project, a fuel reduction project, is conducted under the guidance of a Registered Forester. He said that native vegetation was cut back, not removed, and will grow back. The goal is a healthy forest.

Trimmed vegetation was chipped and placed on the forest floor to prevent erosion. Harry Farmer asked whether so much vegetation needed to be removed. Alan Peters said that the project removed broom and invasives such as eucalyptus and jubata grass. Broom was placed in piles and later burned. Other brush was chipped and placed on trails. Chipping the ladder fuels changed the fuel arrangement from vertical to horizontal, reducing fire hazard. He said that native plants will begin to grow in the spring, and will return in the same species composition as before.

Cal Fire crews will return to pull and use herbicides on invasives.

Both Mr. Turner and Mr. Peters said that written comments from the Forest Committee and the public are welcome.

 Executive Orders vs Permits:

The governor’s Executive Orders direct Cal Fire to find ways to accelerate fuel reduction projects. Crosby Swartz said that the public’s opportunity to comment on projects was lost in that process. Mr. Peters said he believes all the work has been conducted in compliance with all local regulations. He said that his team does not follow tree replacement guidelines where the intent of the project is to thin out dense stands of trees.

The Fire Safe Focus Group meetings are the main venue for public information. Kathe Tanner writes articles for The Cambrian. Cal Fire is restricted to Twitter as its social media outlet. Mr. Peters said informal venues are more effective than formal processes.

Mr. Peters announced that vegetation piles on Ramsey will be burned before the rain next week. Smoke from controlled burns upsets residents, who comment to agencies.

Coastal Regional Prioritization Work Group of the Forest Management Task Force Conference Call:

Thursday, January 9, 1-2:30 pm. Contact is Angela Bernheisel,

State Forest Manager, RPF #2602

CAL FIRE

San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit

Soquel Demonstration State Forest

4750 Soquel-San Jose Road

Soquel, CA 95073

(831) 475-8643

www.fire.ca.gov/czu/

Call in number is 1-888-363-4734 code 728352. Updates from CAL FIRE Unit Foresters and Los Padres NF on

2019 summarized accomplishments and 2020 projects planned.

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group:

The county’s Office of Emergency Services participated in a presentation on evacuation planning for Cambria. The meeting was well attended. Estimated time to evacuate from Lodge Hill is four hours.

Unfinished Business

Forest Impact Mitigation Measure: Crosby located a letter dated March 22, 2018 relevant to evaluating the impact of the Emergency Water Supply project on growth and thus on the forest. Former CSD Board presidents Dave Pierson and Amanda Rice are the CSD board’s ad hoc committee on the EWS application, which has not yet been completed and submitted to the county.

Andrea Wogsland reported that Daniel Bohlman of The Land Conservancy of SLO, who manages the Fern Canyon Preserve conservation easement for Cambria CSD, is monitoring compliance with the easement and will share the next LCSLO report when it is complete.

Public and Director Comments: Allyson Dallmann, a volunteer for the Center for Biological Diversity, invited all those attending to meet at her home Sunday January 12 to discuss moving forward to save life on Earth.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:07 pm.

Next Meeting February 12, 2020

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Minutes December 2019

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes December 2019

December 11, 2019, 6:30 PM

Mechanics Bank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria

A Quorum was established by attendance of directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, JoEllen Butler, Andrea Wogsland, executive director of Greenspace, and Christine Heinrichs. Cambria CSD Director Harry Farmer, CSD board liaison, and Cambria resident Gregory Randall attended.

Public and Director Comments: 

Gregory Randall, who recently moved from Hollywood to Cambria, is an urban wildlife ecologist. He recommended iNaturalist for plant and wildlife identification.

JoEllen Butler invited all to the FFRP Songs for the Season event at Fogs End Barn on Saturday, December 14, 2-4:30 pm, $20.

JoEllen reported that the FFRP tree planting event was a success, despite the threat of rain. One woman attended to celebrate her 62nd birthday. Over 300 trees were planted. The event was blessed with a rainbow at both ends of the ranch.

New FFRP executive director Kitty Connolly will move to Cambria from Pasadena in December and take over the position in January. JoEllen will invite Kitty to attend Forest Committee meetings. JoEllen will take a break from community activities after she retires.

Harry Farmer is a candidate for CSD board president at the Thursday board meeting. If he is elected, he would be the first environmentally-oriented board president since Art Van Rhyn three decades ago. He will continue as Forest Committee liaison.

Laura said SLO is planting trees, on Chorro Street and other locations. Paul Nugent will invite a speaker on the subject of urban trees.

Minutes of November Meeting were approved with one amendment.

Treasurers Report: Laura Swartz reported that between directors’ donations to cover insurance brings the account balance to $826.60. Book sales will likely push the balance over $1,000.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations: Christine sold four Invasive Weed Guides via social media, Julie Jorgenson has been sick and not able to contact nurseries to sell the books. Andrea will add it to the Greenspace table at the Farmers Market. Sale price $10.

​County Permit Reviews: Tree removals need to be mitigated by tree plantings. Andrea sells trees through Greenspace and provides letters attesting to mitigation.

The county has a new code enforcement officer.

The Bookout project, which would have taken down 70 trees, has been denied a permit by the Coastal Commission.

Laura said that a tree died several years after construction of a garage and driveway due to impact. The Forest Committee will look for examples of permeable concrete.

Andrea will forward the county new construction permit referrals to the Forest Committee.

Forest Management

Fuel Reduction Project Guidelines: Andrea has contacted the Forest Management Task Force, chair of the Science Advisory Panel Keith Gilless of the Board of Forestry at UC Berkeley. She will invite him to visit Cambria.

Cambria can work more closely with Cal Fire on tree planting. Alan Peters has said that grant money can be used for tree planting. Andrea said that the contractor is supposed to do an inventory of native plants and flag them before removing dead vegetation.

The Forest Committee will identify a native plant list. Plants such as coffeeberry and toyon are not protected but are significant native vegetation.

Fire Safe Focus Group plans to hold stakeholder meetings. The Land Conservancy should be included, because it holds conservation easements on land in Cambria.

​​ Urban and Community Forest Grants: EcoSLO applied and got one grant. Greenspace has not yet applied.

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group: next meeting will be in January

Unfinished Business

​              Forest Impact Mitigation Measure: Crosby will send materials disputing the EIR statement that buildout of 1,000 homes will have no impact on the forest.

Greenspace / Forest Committee Guidelines Letter: The letter should focus on specific guidelines of what to remove and what to protect.

Public and Director Comments:

Andrea met with Hearst Ranch Manager Ben Higgins. She suggested having a mixer for all the new environmental leaders in the Cambria area.

Andrea reported that she has talked to the senior vice president of an insurance company that insures land trusts.  Homeowners who are denied fire insurance have recourse and can file a complaint with state department of insurance.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 pm.

​​​  ​​Next Meeting January 8, 2020

 

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Minutes November 2019

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

Minutes November 2019

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Meeting Minutes

November 13, 2019, 6:30 PM

Mechanics Bank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria

Call to Order and a Quorum was established by attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, Julie Jorgenson, Andrea Wogsland, JoEllen Butler, and Christine Heinrichs. Cambria Community Services District board liaison Harry Farmer, Cambrians Linda Poppenheimer and Jeff Walters also attended.

Public and Director Comments: Christine reported that Sarah Bisbing, assistant professor, Forest Ecosystem Science  at University of Nevada – Reno, who has studied Cambria’s Monterey Pine forest, is planning to visit to view the fuel reduction done by Cal Fire. She has not set a date.

Mr. Farmer suggested the NSPR series California Burning, https://www.mynspr.org/programs/california-burning-solutions-californias-wildfire-problem#stream/0, on the forest fire situation. He suggested having a Native American speaker who could address Native American use of fire. Crosby said that Fire Safe Focus Group discussed doing controlled burns. They await rain to complete pile burns of vegetation.

JoEllen invited all to join FFRP to plant trees during the Thanksgiving weekend, November 30. They have 350 trees to plant, mulch and water. Families are encouraged to participate. 9 am – noon, Huntington Road park entrance.

Minutes of the October Meeting were approved with some revisions.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported that the balance in the account is $526.60, but the $100 check to Kirsten Sheehy, the Galling Fly speaker, was not cashed. Christine will follow up with her.

Sales of Invasive Weed Guides could recover the costs of printing them and raise awareness of the problem. Julie will approach Cambria Nursery and the Garden Shed to assess their interest. Linda will bring one to the Native Plant Society next week.

The holidays are coming and Invasive Weed Guides make a good stocking stuffer.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations  

Crosby and Christine continue to work to get the Cambria Forest Committee added to the County Permit Review distribution list. Hilary Brown is the contact at the county planning department. Andrea reported that permit application DRC 2019-00214 for a 3100sq ft house, two garages, and a shop on a six-acre parcel at Cambria Pines Road and Buckley proposes to remove 70 trees.

The county has jurisdiction over AirBNB rentals. Julie said that momentum is swinging away from them. Visitors may not be aware of Cambria’s fire danger, could light up a grill out on the deck. Other problems include noisy parties and making pornographic movies. Conversion of long-term rentals to AirBNBs reduces available housing. Real estate brokers advertise using properties as AirBNBs as an asset to property value.

Forest Management:

In response to the extent of brush removal in the Fuel Reduction Project, the Forest Committee will develop guidelines for native plant protection. The confusion surrounding the Fuel Reduction Project indicates that the community and Fire Safe Council and Cal Fire need to find agreement on what trimming and removal are desirable. Crosby will work up a draft.

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group:

Crosby, Laura, JoEllen and Paul attended. They discussed the Fuel Reduction project and developing guidelines, above. Cal Fire uses Timber Harvest Plans instead of CEQA, but also needs to comply with the Local Coastal Plan. Monterey Pine isn’t a good fit for Timber Harvest because it has no economic value.

The confusion over the Fuel Reduction project indicated that better communication with the community is needed for future projects. The Forest Committee will stay in contact with Turner to be available for public meetings and information.

The Nature Conservancy’s conservation easement on the Covell Ranch was brought up as an example. The public lost access, the Nature Conservancy has not communicated well with local residents, and although fire prevention was one of the goals, the area is not particularly threatened by fire.

JoEllen said that James Allen is writing his report on the Fuel Reduction Project. It will be available to the public and the Forest Committee.

Jeff Walters said that the removal of understory hurts the forest by interfering with underground plant communication and water use. Crosby said that Cal Fire describes the understory fuel reduction as trimming, not removal, because the roots are still there and the plants will grow back. Whether invasives will grow back faster remains to be seen. JoEllen said that the workers are not using glyphosate to kill plants.

Andrea is connecting with the Forest Management Task Force Working Group. Forest management projects involve multiple treatments paid for by multiple funding agencies with overlapping interests.

Fire Safe Council business manager Dan Turner suggested the Urban and Community Forest grant, application due November 27, might be suitable for Greenspace and the Forest Committee.

Paul reported that the AM radio communication system was discussed, and evacuation traffic congestion on Highway 1.

Fire Safe Focus Group will meet monthly in 2020.

Holiday Meeting Schedule:           

The Forest Committee will have a regular meeting December 11. Crosby will present a draft of suggested guidelines for fuel reduction projects.

Unfinished Business

Forest Impact Mitigation Measure:

Crosby continues to work on the need for mitigation for the Emergency Water Supply project. Mitigation for the impact on the forest was overlooked and has not been addressed.

Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter: This will be addressed with the Forest Impact Mitigation letter and the Fuel Reduction Guidelines.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Next Meeting December 11, 2019

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Minutes October 2019

Posted on October 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes October 2019

October 9, 2019, 6:30 PM

Mechanics Bank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria

  • A Quorum was established by attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, JoEllen Butler, Andrea Wogsland, and Christine Heinrichs. CCSD liaison board vice president Harry Farmer attended.
  • Public and Director Comments: Two events are coming up:

Thursday October 24, 5 pm, Unitarian Universalist Community of Cambria, 786 Arlington Street. Local California Department of Fish and Wildlife game wardens Jason Chance and Richard Roodzant will talk on wildlife feeding.

Sunday October 27, 3 pm, Mechanics Bank: Biologist Joe Burnett, sponsored by Greenspace, will speak on Condors. Six juveniles will be released in San Simeon in the coming weeks.

3.0  Minutes of September Meeting were approved as written.

4.0  Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported the account balance of $942.60, with no outstanding checks and no remaining grant money. The invoice for Directors &Officers insurance annual renewal, $516, arrived, due by Oct. 17. Directors usually donate $100, but it’s not required.

5.0  Sub-Committee Reports

5.1  Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Crosby and Christine continue to work to have the Forest Committee included in regular permit application notifications.

5.2 Forest Management

The Fuel Reduction Project along Highway 1 and on Fiscalini Ranch has trimmed all vegetation under the Monterey Pines and limbed the trees to clear the understory. JoEllen Butler, FFRP executive director, said that the project sought to balance preserving and protecting ranch with community safety.

Invasives were removed in accordance with the Fiscalini Ranch Management Plan. James Allen of Santa Cruz will assess the work and provide a written report that will be available to the public.

The work conforms to that done on Test Plot Four on Fiscalini Ranch. After removal of the understory, new trees sprouted.

Additional  homeless encampments were removed as they were discovered. One was 100 feet long and included several rooms.

Greenspace executive director Andrea Wogsland said that Cal Fire is testing the boundaries of conservation easements in recent projects. Big Sur Land Trust has written Specific Project Descriptions to monitor fuel reduction projects for compliance. She followed up by sending that document to Forest Committee directors attending the meeting.

“We have a unique forest that requires additional care,” she said.

Laura Swartz said that conservation easements need to be defended. Crosby Swartz said that the Minor Use Permit authorizing the work includes six biological monitoring conditions. He said the work has focused on the trees rather than the forest, which includes unique understory plants that create the forest ecosystem.

Documents related to the projects are difficult to locate. Public awareness has been limited.

Paul Nugent, who also serves on the Resources & Infrastructure Committee, said the grant funding, through the county Fire Safe Council, was welcome. Ms. Wogsland said that the Cambria Fire Safe Focus Group, which is accepted as a community organization by regional and state agencies, is not representing the range of public opinion.

Christine Heinrichs said that a Forest Manager would be a central figure to oversee such projects and provide information to the public. The Implementation Plan suggests routes to fund a Forest Manager position.

Mr. Nugent said that keeping insurance rates low is another consideration. Director Farmer said that real estate brokers have told him property sales are complicated by difficulty getting fire insurance in Cambria.

Crosby has taken photos of the work, to monitor the areas as they regrow over time. The Cambria Fire Department has two other fuel reduction grant applications in process, one for the ravine next to Tin City.

Crosby will draft a letter, using the Big Sur Trust document as a model, for comment on future fuel reduction projects.

6.0 The Fire Safe Focus Group meeting is rescheduled to Oct 23 at the Fire Station. William Hollingsworth will chair the meeting in chairman Dave Pierson’s absence. He will be on vacation.

7.0  No New Business

8.0  Unfinished Business

8.1 Forest Impact Mitigation Measure: Crosby will draft a letter requesting attention to the impact of the Emergency Water Supply project on the forest. The Environmental Impact Report said that it will have No Impact, but the subject has not been evaluated. The Forest Committee will prepare a letter.

8.2  Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter: The Forest Committee will revise the Dead Tree Removal statement to address specifics of the Fuel Reduction project.

9.0  Public and Director Comments

Laura Swartz reported that the Forest Committee sign near Black Cat Bistro is delaminating. She is repairing it, no cost to the committee. The signs require occasional maintenance.

10.0 Future Agenda Items

Ms. Wogsland suggested public education activities to increase public awareness of what constitutes a healthy forest. Speakers and materials could cite benefits such as carbon sequestration. Greater appreciation of the forest will support better forest care.

11.0 The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Next Meeting November 13, 2019

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Minutes September 2019

Posted on September 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes September 2019

September 11, 2019

TIME:  6:30 PM

LOCATION:  Mechanics Bank, 1070 Main Street, Cambria

  • Call to Order and Establish a Quorum

Directors Crosby Swartz, Laura Swartz, JoEllen Butler, Andrea Wogsland, Harry Farmer (CCSD Liaison).  Guests Allyson Dallmann, Linda Poppenheimer, Tori Poppenheimer, Laurel Stewart.

  • Public and Director Comments

Guest Allyson Dallmann presented information about government and industry attempts to bypass the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, Minutes September 2019 Protect ESA flyer .

Chairman Swartz emailed link to LA Times article about fire fuel reduction and ember proofing homes (https://www.latimes.com/projects/wildfire-california-fuel-breaks-newsom-paradise/).

Director Farmer recommended recent Your Call Radio program “One Planet: The Threats to America’s Public Lands”.

Director Wogsland had information about the upcoming Beach Cleanup event on the 21st.  Greenspace is organizing the cleanup at Moonstone Beach / Santa Rosa Creek.  FFRP is organizing the cleanup at Otter Cove and the Ranch Preserve beach.  The event organizers are looking for a site captain for the Pico Creek cleanup.

North Coast Advisory Council and Land Use Committee member Laurel Stewart reported on new comment period on Ragged Point Inn expansion project.

  • Approve Minutes of August Meeting

Approved.

  • Treasurer’s Report

Balance $942.60.  No remaining grant balances.

5.0  Sub-Committee Reports

5.1  Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Greenspace Native Plant Garden

Several Directors attended the open house at the new Greenspace Native Plant Garden.  Thanks for the excellent design and construction of the garden by Amanda Goudy and others.  Open Saturdays 1 to 3 through October, then Sundays 12 to 2 beginning in November.

Grant Opportunities

Guest Linda Poppenheimer presented information about environmental grants from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and Patagonia.

Discussion about New Yorker article “A day in the Life of a Tree” and potential applications of precision wireless dendrometers and the EcoSensor Network to monitor trees in the Cambria forest.

Rabobank is now Mechanics Bank.  Meeting room still available to CFC.

5.2 Forest Management

Fuel Reduction Project – Hwy 1 below Ramsey

Discussion of current fuel reduction project on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve and surrounding forested areas adjacent to Hwy 1.  Several directors have inspected completed areas and have expressed concern about the excessive trimming/removal of understory vegetation and excessive pruning/limbing up of live trees.  Chairman Swartz passed around photographs of completed areas.

  • Report from Fire Safe Focus Group

Meeting re-scheduled to 9-18-19 at 3:00 PM.

7.0  New Business – No New Business

8.0  Unfinished Business

8.1   Forest Impact Mitigation Measure

Nothing new to report.

8.2  Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter

Discussion about revising draft Greenspace / Forest Committee letter to focus on specific recommendations and practices for the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve fuel reduction project.

9.0  Public and Director Comments

10.0  Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.  Guest Allyson Dallmann remained to answer questions about the Endangered Species Act and distribute a petition.

Next Meeting October 9, 2019

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Minutes August 2019

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes August 2019

August 14, 2019, 6:30 PM

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

A Quorum was established by the attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, Julie Jorgenson, JoEllen Butler, executive director of Friends of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Andrea Wogsland, executive director of Greenspace, and Christine Heinrichs. Harry Farmer, Cambria CSD liaison, and John Weigold, Cambria CSD general manager also attended.

A short business meeting was held after guest speaker Kirsten Sheehy gave her presentation “Cape Ivy Flies for Biocontrol of Invasive Ivy.” About 20 people attended.

Public and Director Comments: Beautify Cambria Association sent a letter thanking the Forest Committee for its support for Dark Skies Initiative.   BCA thank you letter.

Minutes of July Meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported that the balance is unchanged, $1,042.60. She wrote a check to the speaker for $100 honorarium.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations:

Greenspace executive director Andrea Wogsland reported that Greenspace had sent a letter of comment on the Program Environmental Impact Report for the proposed California Vegetation Treatment Program. That EIR is scheduled for approval by the end of the year for use on projects in 2020. Cambria’s Monterey Pines require special consideration, compared to the forests of the Sierra, the main focus of the plan. Cambria’s Forest Management Plan provides specific advice.

Andrea attended the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and County Fire Safe Council tour of fuel reduction sites along Cambria Pines Road and Highway 1. Fuel reduction projects are focused on restoration areas, fuel breaks and the Wildland Urban Interface, were the forest is intermixed with houses. A new grant cycle is coming up.

Forest Management

Fuel Reduction Guidelines in Fern Canyon Preserve:

Crosby has been in discussions with Fire Chief William Hollingsworth. The chief understands that weed whacking is not appropriate in Fern Canyon.  The lots under protection are in good shape. Workers are not doing unnecessary damage to those lots. Mike Rice is the contractor who will be doing weed abatement on lots that have not yet cut their weeds.

“I’m satisfied they are doing the right thing there,” Crosby said. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.”

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group:

Cal Fire SLU Unit Forester Alan Peters discussed the fire center at Camp SLO, used to stage the fuel reduction and management projects and carry out those plans. Fire Safe Council has a new chipper.  A new app for smart phone, Pulse Point, can dispatch information in real time. Fire Chief Hollingsworth will present it to the community.

Unfinished Business

            Forest Impact Mitigation Measure:

Crosby will draft a letter adding details to the comment letter he sent to the Coastal Commission regarding the adverse effects of the impact of growth on the forest. He will ask the Commission to suggests mitigation for those effects.

Greenspace/Forest Committee Letter:

The legalities of the Forest Practice Act have stalled this effort to align the Cambria Forest Management Plan and the FPA. The Cambria Forest Management Plan is written in more understandable language. Organizations such as the Chaparral Institute, which has staff to analyze the documents, has found Cal Fire practices in some cases counterproductive.

Andrea offered to contact Cal Poly to offer the project to a student as a Senior Project.

Public and Director Comments

CSD General Manager Weigold reported on the continuing efforts to clear up homeless encampments on Fiscalini Ranch. Some are extensive and remote, making them difficult to clear. Discussion of whether SLO County should assist Cambria financially to clear them up.

Fire danger in the forest makes it a public safety concern.

CSD Facilities Manager Carlos Mendoza patrols the ranch three times a week to reduce re-establishment of camps. Weigold said costs are between $25,000 and $30,000 thus far.

Cambria lacks services for the homeless. The nearest location for services is SLO.

Forest Committee director Ralph Covell is reported to be very ill. The Forest Committee may reach out to his daughter.

Greenspace’s Native Plant Garden will hold its Open House Saturday August 17, 1-4 pm. Public invited.

Meeting adjourned at 8:14.

Next Meeting September 11, 2019

 

 

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Minutes July 2019

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes July 2019

July 10, 2019, 6:30 PM

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

The meeting was called to order and a Quorum established by the attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, JoEllen Butler, Andrea Wogsland, and Christine Heinrichs. Harry Farmer, CCSD director, and board liaison, Donn Howell, CSD director, Tony Church, Land Use Committee member for NCAC, and Cambria resident Linda Poppenheimer also attended.

Public and Director Comments: Tony Church showed a photo of a tree pruned by PG&E. Little was left. Laura reported that a backhoe was used to remove tree roots from Sandown. No permit is posted. They await to see whether more work is done and whether a permit is involved.

The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and County Fire Safe Council will meet at Cal Poly July 16 and 18, and tour the North Coast from Harmony Headlands to Cambria on July 17. The public is welcome, but reservations through Dan Turner are required.  They will be visiting fuel reduction sites along Cambria Pines Road and Highway 1. Broom is already growing back. This is the first time the State Board of Forestry has visited Cambria in 17 years.

Approve Minutes of June Meeting: Approved unanimously with one change.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura reports no change from June: balance of $1,042.60, with no outstanding checks or grant money remaining.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Impacted Tree County Designation: SLO County Senior Planner Airlin Singewald responded to Crosby’s question regarding the definition of an Impacted Tree. A tree is considered Impacted if any part of the new structure is in its dripline. If so, mitigation is required at a ratio of 2:1.

Forest Management

Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Guidelines: No new report. Crosby will continue to be in contact with Fire Chief Hollingsworth as weed abatement concludes in July.

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group: JoEllenButler, Paul Nugent and Crosby and Laura Swartz attended. Dave Pierson reported on the group’s Wildfire Preparedness Day. PG&E spokesman Steve Crawford announced details of future power outages, posted at https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/wildfires/community-wildfire-safety.page. Possible risks during a power outage include residents cooking on barbeque grills. Traffic will be a problem without regular operation of traffic signals. PG&E will provide portable charging stations for residents to charge cell phones and other devices. The public needs to be educated in safe operation of generators.

CSD Director Donn Howell said he would contact the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Board to find out what their plans are for businesses and hotels. He will ask CSD staff about the backup generator for operation of the WWTP.

Chief Hollingsworth introduced the district’s emergency preparedness website, http://247ncep.com/.

No updates on the fire department’s fuel reduction two grant applications. They are adding a third application.

The FSFG may have an entry in the Pinedorado Parade.

The group is looking for a volunteer to re-apply for Cambria’s Fire Safe Community status.

Cal Fire’s online Property Inspection Guide is now posted on the Forest Committee’s website, http://cambriaforestcommittee.org/documents-2/cal-fire-property-inspection-guide/. Members of the group discussed various ways of preventing fires and reducing damage: protecting houses and the area around them; ember-proofing houses; wetting houses with soaker tubes;  improving evacuation routes; educating the public on safe use of generators in power outages. Safe strategies for managing power outages include PG&E’s offer to bring charging stations to town for the public to charge cell phones and devices; using dry ice to keep refrigerated food cold; backup generators for water and wastewater service;  gas and propane will be available at the Chevron and Shell stations. Donn Howell offered to check with local hotels and ascertain the status of backup power for public utilities.

Change to Weed-Clearing Ordinance: no action.

New Business

Forest Impact Mitigation Measure: Crosby had commented on CEQA requirement that growth-inducing effects of projects in the coastal zone be mitigated. Christine will draft a letter asking the Coastal Conservancy for its opinion on the need to address this issue in regard to the Emergency Water Supply project.

Director Howell asked the Forest Committee to send a letter to the CSD Board asking for clarification of how CSD lots under conservation easement are to be managed.

August Guest Speaker: Kirsten Sheehy, a research specialist in the Riparian InVasion Research Laboratory (RIVRLab), will talk about her work with the Cape Ivy Fly to control Cape Ivy at the August 14 Forest Committee meeting. Cape Ivy Flies lay their eggs inside the newly-growing shoot tips. Round tumors, or galls, form at the end of the tip, stunting growth and reducing the size of the plant.

Unfinished Business

Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter: Revision to reconcile the requirements of the Forest Practices Act. Christine and Crosby will confer.

Future speakers: The fire resistant value of a healthy forest. Fire Safe Gardening, possibly a Master Gardener.

Public and Director Comments

Linda Poppenheimer commented that while the community is rightfully concerned about fire, the health of the forest is being affected by brush clearing. Healthy forest ecology includes an ecosystem of plants and animals. Cambria’s Forest Management Plan recommends hiring a Forest Manager to oversee forest health, but the plan has never been implemented. New sources of funding will be explored. She will report on Patagonia’s grant program as a possible source.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Next Meeting August 14, 2019

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Minutes June 2019

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Meeting Minutes June 2019

June 12, 2019, 6:30 PM

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm and a Quorum established by attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, JoEllen Butler, Andrea Wogsland, executive director of Greenspace, and Christine Heinrichs. CSD Liaison Harry Farmer, Donn Howell, CSD director and chair of the Resources & Infrastructure Committee, and Andrew Boyd-Goodrich, executive director of Camp Ocean Pines also attended.

Andrea Wogsland was officially elected unanimously to the Forest Committee board. She holds a position as executive director of Greenspace.

In Public and Director Comment, Chair Crosby Swartz said that the unstructured committee discussions may go off topic, but that he will keep everyone focused on the business at hand. Comments from the public are always welcome.

Minutes of the May meeting were approved with several amendments, on a motion by JoEllen seconded by Laura.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura reported a balance of $1,042.60 after FFRP reimbursed the Forest Committee $53.43 for the Earth Day banner.

Sub-Committee Reports

       Education/Planting Mitigation/Operations

Website Domain Name Registration issue: Paul Nugent will accept billing for the domain name. He will provide password information to Laura for access.

The Monterey Pine seedlings Paul is growing for Greenspace are doing well. About half have sprouted. He protects them from birds and rodents with chicken wire and quarter inch mesh. Harry Farmer announced that SLO Master Gardeners offer a regular monthly presentation and keeping predators out of your garden will be the subject of the June presentation.

Ideas for projects for Cambria Community Council grants:

Laura had three suggestions:

  1. Collaborating with Greenspace on one or more of their projects
  2. Invited speakers
  3. A community campaign against invasive weeds. Broom Busters is a successful community weed management program on Vancouver Island, BC.

Crosby suggested presenting videos for the public.

Directors will research speakers and videos.

Forest Management

Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Guidelines: Laura had nothing new to report. Fire Chief Hollingsworth understands the issues of differential standards required for developed and conserved lots. Paul reported that Dave Pierson and Michael Calderwood are working to resolve the issue of divided agency responsibility. Cal Fire is responsible for developed lots, and CSD is responsible for undeveloped lots. The CSD is the logical agency to enforce weed abatement on all lots, but how to pay for the inspections has not been resolved.

Invasive Borer Workshop: Christine reported on the invasion of the Gold Spotted Oak Borer and Shot Hole Borer from a workshop held in May by US Agriculture and Natural Resources. Information is posted on the Forest Committee website and at gsob.org and pshb.org. These insects have killed trees in Southern California and have been found in SLO County. They spread through transport of infested firewood. Buy It where you Burn It. The community needs to be cautioned not to transport firewood.

Galling fly: This insect may be effective in controlling Cape Ivy. USDA scientists have released some in Bay Area and SLO County locations. USDA is working with Jon Hall, stewardship director for the Land Conservancy of SLO County. Christine will invite Tom Dudley of UCSB, who may be looking for release locations in SLO County, to speak at a Forest Committee meeting. Crosby will contact Jon Hall. The Forest Committee may make a field trip.

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group: Paul and JoEllen attended. JoEllen passed around flyers for Wildfire Preparedness Day, June 29. Results of the evacuation study will be explained and advice for coping with power shutdowns offered. JoEllen reported that Cal Fire will start using 30 percent vinegar, as recommended by Laura, on broom along Cambria Pines Road.

Old Business

Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter: Needs to be aligned with the Forest Practices Act. Christine and Crosby will confer to resolve.

Dark Skies Initiative Support Letter: Laura’s comment on the beauty of the forest in natural moonlight will be included and the letter forwarded to Claudia Harmon Worthen of Beautify Cambria Association to show the Forest Committee’s support for the Dark Skies Initiative.

Public and Director Comments: Andrea  raised the issue of the new definition of ‘impacted tree’ used in the recent Minor Use Permit for a guest house, requiring replacement at a 2:1 ratio, rather than 4:1. Crosby will pursue the question with Airlin Singewald, county planner.

Andrea reported that at the ReLeaf conference she attended, speakers encouraged nonprofit members to develop relationships with planners. She also heard about tools to help trees survive in urban settings, such as panels in sidewalks to accommodate root growth. Airlin Singewald is the county planner who handles Cambia issues and Art Trinidade is the county code enforcement officer. Supervisor Bruce Gibson holds open hours at the library on the third Wednesday of the month, before attending NCAC meetings.

Andrew Boyd-Goodrich discussed Camp Ocean Pines’ role in conserving the forest. Camp Ocean Pines has 13 acres of forest, subject to often conflicting missions: residential, ecologic and educational. “We are educating the people who will be around this table in 25 years,” he said. “We want to be a responsible steward of the forest as well as an educational site.” One of the Forest Committee’s informational signs is located at Camp Ocean Pines.

The meeting adjourned at JoEllen’s motion at 8:24 pm

Next Meeting July 10, 2019

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Minutes May 2019

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes May 2019

May 8, 2019, 6:30 PM

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

A Quorum was established by the attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, JoEllen Butler, Andrea Wogsland, executive director of Greenspace, and Christine Heinrichs. Harry Farmer, CCSD liaison, Peter Frey, and Tony Church also attended.

Public and Director Comments:

Christine will follow up to check on the status of the Cape Ivy Galling Fly project.

Peter Frey suggested using goats to clear vegetation. JoEllenButler used goats on a section of Fiscalini Ranch, cost $20,000. Terrain, type of vegetation, and fencing are concerns, but she is willing to use them again. They do not eat all the invasives, especially French broom, but do eat all the native plants.

Minutes of April Meeting were approved with one correction.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported the balance at $ 1,221.04.  She paid for purchase of two banners that were used at the Earth Day celebration. FFRP will reimburse $43.43 for one.

Possible Cambria Community Council grant idea: add landscaping with native grasses around the Forest Committee sign. Directors will come up with other ideas for CCC grant funding projects at the June meeting.

Sub-Committee Reports

Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Report on Earth Day Fair: The Fair had a beautiful day, but fewer attended than last year, perhaps because it was Easter Sunday. Laura and Crosby made contact with Robin Chase at State Parks and Bill Thornton, Outdoor Education Director at Camp Ocean Pines.

Rick Hawley enlisted families to grow Monterey Pine seedlings. He now has 4,000 potential starts set up. The goal is 10,000 for fall planting. Excellent music, arranged by Dulcie Taylor and using her sound system. Soto’s will continue to participate. Greenspace welcomes feedback.

Website Domain Name Billing: Paul has gotten it transferred from Amanda’s account so that it is under Forest Committee control.

Forest Management

Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Guidelines: Crosby and Laura continue to work with Fire Chief Hollingsworth to modify Weed Abatement to be sensitive to different needs in different areas. Special Project Area 1 has conservation easements that need to be observed. Special Project Area 2 has viewshed issues. A single policy is not appropriate for all undeveloped lots.

Cutting twice a year, before seedheads develop, would reduce spread of invasive weeds and is recommended, but not mandatory, because of additional cost.

“I’m trying to impress on the fire department the importance of timing,” Laura Swartz said.

Cal Fire and CCSD continue to negotiate on transferring responsibility for developed lots from Cal Fire to CCSD. Funding would have to be found to offset the CSD’s additional costs of enforcement.

“The goal ultimately is that people need to maintain their property all year,” Harry Farmer said.

Invasive Borer Workshop May 9th: Christine Heinrichs will attend and report to the Forest Committee at the June meeting.

SOD Blitz: Crosby and Laura, Christine, and Duffy Burns participated from Cambria. Results in the fall.

County Permits: Crosby has not been able to get the county to send permit applications to the Forest Committee, but Tony Church of NCAC’s Land Use Committee said that no applications have been submitted for the past two months. Discussion of the problem of no enforcement or follow-up on planting and maintaining mitigation trees. Greenspace’s new executive director Andrea Wogsland suggested the nonprofits can support each other in following up tree mitigation. Those required to plant trees to mitigate for trees removed usually contact Greenspace to buy replacement trees.

The Coastal Commission did not take tree loss into account in issuing a permit for the O’Sullivan Guest House. Christine will send the Staff Report to those attending. It is posted on the Coastal Commission website at https://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2019/5/W22a/W22a-5-2019-report.pdf

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group:

PG&E will turn off power during high winds. Because of the technical complications of turning it back on, power could be off for several days. Fire Safe Focus Group is looking into planning for a power outage.

Broom Pile Burns along Hwy 1 have been completed. Laura is concerned about the living trees that were singed by the fires. Damaged trees may die, then have to be removed.

Unfinished Business

Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter: Crosby continues to review the Forest Practices Act for how it applies to dead tree removal. The Forest Practice Act and Rules can be accessed at www.calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt_forestpractice. Select 2019 Forest Practice Rules and Act under Forest Practice More Info. Interesting sections include Fuelbreak / Defensible Space on page 55, Harvesting Practices and Erosion Control on page 64, Wildlife Protection Practices on page 112, and Coastal Commission Special Treatment Areas on page 119.

Dark Skies Initiative Support Letter: Christine will rewrite and send to Crosby for approval.

Public and Director Comments:

Directors are asked to come up with ideas for projects that could be funded with CCC grants.

Will the proposed wind farm off Cambria affect fog? Monterey Pine trees are dependent on fog drip. Research this question for future discussion.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm
Next Meeting June 12, 2019

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Minutes April 2019

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Christine Heinrichs

CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE

TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA

Minutes April 2019

April 10, 2019, 6:30 PM

Cambria Rabobank, 1070 Main Street

A Quorum was established by the attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Paul Nugent, JoEllen Butler Julie Jorgenson and Christine Heinrichs. Cambria resident Linda Poppenheimer, Harry Farmer, liaison from the CSD Board of Directors, and Carlos Mendoza, Facilities and Maintenance manager for the CSD also attended.

Public and Director Comments:

Linda Poppenheimer recounted an experience with a tree that was removed from her property by County Public Works. One tree had fallen over in the wind, but without notifying her, the crew also removed a tree she had planted 12 years ago. She asked for specifics of the County’s Tree Removal Ordinance (23.05.060 – Tree Removal In the County Municipal Code,

https://library.municode.com/ca/san_luis_obispo_county/codes/county_code?nodeId=TIT23COZOLAUS_CH23.05SIDEST_23.05.062TRREPERE; Blanket permit, https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/community/cambrian/article39063303.html). She has a picture of the fallen tree and the healthy tree. She was advised to contact the county and ask why the healthy tree was removed.

Carlos Mendoza reported on the work he and his crews have done to clean up homeless encampments on CSD property. The issue has received substantial local interest recently. A committee has been formed, led by Theresa Desmond, to bring solutions to the CSD Board. They meet the first Wednesday of the month, 10 am at Pacific Premier Bank.

Minutes of the March meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported $1,221.04 balance in the account. An invoice from Lynn Singer for review of the taxes is expected, $150.

Sub-Committee Reports:

            Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations

Materials for Earth Day Fair: Crosby and Laura will bring license plate frames, books, flyers. Crosby will get a banner made to display across the top of the tent to identify the Forest Committee and FFRP. Volunteers will work the booth, 11-3 pm Sunday April 21.

Website Domain Name Billing: Paul is working with Amanda to resolve the issue. He has a video to use for future changes

Forest Management

Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Guidelines: Crosby will discuss with Fire Chief Hollingsworth making the list of properties requiring weed abatement show clearly which are owned by the CSD. Practices for weed abatement were discussed. Laura Swartz has found an outlet for 30 percent vinegar, an effective weed killer, especially for Oxalis, that is not toxic to wildlife or the soil.

Report from Fire Safe Focus Group: JoEllen attended. The agenda was not well distributed and few attended. Lack of a speaker for the Emergency Preparedness Day on May 18 may be remedied by Craig Ufferheide, who will invite the FEMA speaker from the Disaster Preparedness Workshop May 15-16 to stay on and speak.

New Business

Sudden Oak Death Survey: will be May 3rd – 5th. Attending the training is not required, but helpful. Survey materials are distributed there. Check SODMap app for locations. Crosby and Laura Swartz will do San Simeon Road. Christine Heinrichs will use the list she has compiled in town. Bay Laurels are the trees being sampled. They transmit SOD to oaks.

Unfinished Business

Greenspace / Forest Committee Letter: Crosby wants to compare language in the Forest Practice Act with the Cambria Forest Management Plan to determine whether there are any significant differences.

Dark Skies Initiative Support Letter: Christine will draft a letter of support relevant to forest concerns.

Public and Director Comments

Kim Corella, CALFIRE, RPF#2916, Southern Region Forest Pest Specialist/Forester II, Cell – 805-550-8583 invited all interested people to a workshop on invasive shot hole borer (ISHB) and goldspotted oak borer (GSOB), to be held in San Luis Obispo on May 9th from 9:30-2:30.  More information at www.pshb.org.

“These insects have not been found yet in our County but they are very close and we are especially concerned about the ISHB which can attack over 110 tree species. Many of these are native riparian species such as Sycamore, Cottonwood, Alder, Willows, Box Elders and this insect also attacks coast live oak and valley oaks.

“Please come and attend this local workshop so you can learn how to identify these invasive insects and report them if you see them in our county. We’ll cover these topics in the classroom, then have a hands-on lab to learn how to identify signs of shot hole borer damage, set up a monitoring program, and sample trees.”

Meeting was adjourned at 7:51 pm.

Next Meeting May 8, 2019

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