By Ching Lee




Skyrocketing natural gas prices this winter have sent shockwaves through California nursery operations, which use the fuel to heat greenhouses. Some of them face utility bills as much as five times higher than in previous years.
Natural gas remains one of the biggest production costs in the winter for some greenhouses. Unable to absorb the increases, nursery operators say they must raise prices to customers, including farmers who buy transplants and seedlings for planting.
Sandra Fischbein, executive director of the Vegetable Transplant Nursery Association, said the “extremely high” natural gas rates were unexpected and have forced the businesses to add fuel surcharges to their plants. Because of chilly wintertime temperatures, she said there’s little heating conservation nurseries can do without hurting their plants.
“If you don’t heat the plants, they’re not going to be ready in time,” she said. “(Seeds) may not germinate. There’s going to be quality issues.”
Impacts of the rate hikes will snowball as some nursery customers will also need to adjust their prices and budgets, Fischbein said. She noted she’s working with other farm groups to raise awareness and gain insight on why natural gas prices have risen so dramatically in California, even as they’ve dropped in other parts of the country.
In a December report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration pointed to several factors that have contributed to natural gas prices on the West Coast rising to current levels. For one, widespread, below-normal temperatures in much of the region have boosted natural gas usage for heating.
At the same time, natural gas supply has not kept pace with the increased demand. The West Coast, which relies heavily on natural gas imports, has seen reduced deliveries from Canada and the Rocky Mountains, EIA said.
Maintenance activities in West Texas also placed constraints on interstate pipeline capacity, leading to less natural gas flowing to the West. In addition, natural gas storage levels in the Pacific region have plummeted, with inventories 30% below the five-year average, EIA reported.
Storage levels are much lower in Northern California, EIA said, because Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s injections to rebuild natural gas inventories lagged behind previous summers.
In a statement to Ag Alert®, PG&E said high temperatures late last summer hampered storage injections and required gas to be withdrawn to support gas-fired power generation. California’s multiyear drought and low hydroelectric generation also put upward pressure on demand for natural gas to generate power, the utility said.
Michael Williamson, whose Williamson Energy firm buys and hedges natural gas for commercial clients such as nurseries, has been trying to sound the alarm on the natural gas situation.
He said one of the biggest contributing factors to the price surge is PG&E’s reclassification in 2021 of some 51 billion cubic feet of working gas to base gas. Working gas is what’s available to the marketplace, while base gas, or cushion gas, refers to the permanent inventory needed to maintain sufficient pressure to support pipeline operations.
Williamson said the reclassification amount represents about 25% to 30% of the total storage. Though the gas didn’t go anywhere, he said, PG&E “failed to replenish or backfill that amount of gas into storage.”
He acknowledged that colder temperatures and increased demand for natural gas have strained the system. But he said the point of having gas in storage is to be able to pull it out during peak-demand periods to increase the supply in the marketplace.
Williamson said he has asked the California Public Utilities Commission to grant an immediate 60-day emergency order to allow PG&E to reclassify 50 Bcf of gas as working gas. This would allow PG&E the flexibility to use more of its storage gas, providing some immediate relief in the market.
Longer term, Williamson said he would like to see a state mandate that requires the utility to replace the reclassified gas to base gas and refill its working gas storage to prior five-year averages.
“Unless PG&E increases its storage back to the five-year average, this is going to happen again and again and again,” Williamson said.
PG&E said the reclassification had no impact on the total natural gas in storage and the withdrawal capacity of its storage assets.
“California natural gas prices show no obvious impact that can be directly attributed to the reclassification,” PG&E said in its statement to Ag Alert®.
The company also pointed out that as with other utilities, PG&E does not control the market prices it pays for gas and electricity and does not mark up the cost of the energy it buys.
Gilroy-based Headstart Nursery has been paying higher natural gas prices since November because it produces poinsettias for the holiday season, company Vice President Randy Costa said. The nursery also grows other ornamentals and vegetable transplants, and its December and January gas bills have soared four to five times higher than prior years, he said.
Costa said the company initially thought it could make adjustments to try to cut gas usage, but the cost spikes have been “too extreme” to keep up.
“We’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars,” he said. “That’s a huge impact on our business.”
Up until last month, the nursery has eaten the increases without raising prices. It has now started contacting customers to explain why they will see an additional 10% to 12% surcharge.
Costa said the last-minute change is “a real inconvenience” for his customers, who have already finalized budgets, contracts and planning.
Even though the nursery produces “a lot of volume,” its profit margin remains “very low,” and “any major hiccup to our production really affects the bottom line,” he said.
With nighttime temperatures dipping into the low 30s, San Diego County nursery operator Arnold Mueller said this is one of the coldest winters he can recall in the region. His gas bill in December rose 60%.
In addition to turning down the heat, Mueller said the nursery has long used energy curtains, which act as a blanket for the greenhouse at night.
“There’s only so much you can do to conserve,” he said.
He said higher energy prices have not only eviscerated profits, they’ve reduced the higher wages he would like to pay his employees, who themselves are struggling with higher energy costs for their homes and cars.
As a long-term remedy, Mueller said the state needs to work on its natural gas infrastructure with more pipelines and storage.
“I think California dropped the ball like they’ve done with water,” he said. “It frustrates me, especially when you see them spend billions of dollars on the bullet train. I would think this would be a much higher priority.”
(Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@cfbf.com.)


​

New Program Makes It Easier to Live Responsibly with Bears
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) are proud to support BearWise, the innovative North American program that helps people live more responsibly with bears. The BearWise website, www.bearwise.org, offers a wealth of scientifically sound information and practical advice. The state agencies will work closely with the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and California State Parks to incorporate the BearWise messaging as part of their united effort through the Lake Tahoe Interagency Bear Team.  This will ensure that residents and visitors across the Tahoe Basin will receive the same messaging regarding bears and how to manage human-bear conflict across state lines.
“In the Tahoe Basin, growing numbers of both bears and humans are leading to an increase in human-bear encounters and conflicts,” said NDOW Biologist Carl Lackey.  “Bears pay no attention to boundaries and have no idea when they cross from public to private lands or from one state to another; that’s why a North American program with consistent messaging that can be used by anyone who lives, works, recreates and travels wherever bears also live makes so much sense.”
BearWise Information and Resources
Bearwise.org offers a wealth of information on black bear biology and behavior as well as sections on preventing human-bear conflicts at home and outdoors, including vacationing in bear country, bear safety information, guidelines for raising livestock, bees and crops, tips for dog owners and bird lovers, helpful FAQs, and information about how neighborhoods, communities and businesses can put BearWise to work.
BearWise Resource Center
In addition to "The Six Bear Wise Basics” for both “At Home” and “Outdoors,” the BearWise online store offers a variety of handouts and activity sheets people can download for free in addition to items like magnets, door hangers, stickers and signage that can be ordered individually or in bulk.
BearWise Article Bank
The BearWise Article Bank features dozens of articles that focus on bears, bear behavior, and what people can do to prevent conflicts with bears. Articles can be reprinted in newsletters or community newspapers and shared on social media. Anyone can sign up to receive timely news and helpful information.
About the BearWise Program
BearWise was developed by state agency bear biologists who wanted to make sure that no matter where people lived, played, or traveled, they got the same consistent message about coexisting with bears. Today the BearWise program is managed by a team of North American bear biologists and communications professionals and supported by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the BearWise member state wildlife agencies.
For more information and to sign up for email alerts, visit www.bearwise.org
For more information on Lake Tahoe bears, visit: www.tahoebears.org
To report human-bear conflicts:

• In California, contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 916-358-2917 or report online using the Wildlife Incident Reporting (WIR) system at apps.wildlife.ca.gov/wir.  
•  Non-emergency wildlife interactions in California State Parks can be reported to its public dispatch at (916) 358-1300. 
•  In Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 775-688-BEAR (2327).
•  If the issue is an immediate threat, call the local sheriff’s department or 911.

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Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other CDFW activities are invited to contact CDFW's Accessibility Coordinator at (916) 651-1214, the EEO Office at (916) 653-9089, or send an email to EEO@wildlife.ca.gov. Reasonable Accommodation requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 21 days prior to the event. Requests for American Sign Language Interpreters should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event, and requests for Real-Time Captioning at least four weeks prior to the event. These timeframes are to help ensure that the requested accommodation is met. If a request for an accommodation has been submitted but due to circumstances is no longer needed, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator immediately.

OAKLAND – In recognition of Identity Theft Awareness Week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today provided Californians with tips to avoid falling victim to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud, typically for financial gain. This can include your name, credit card information, Social Security Number (SSN), or other identifying information. This Identity Theft Awareness Week, Attorney General Bonta encourages individuals to utilize the tips below to keep their assets safe from identity theft and fraud. 
“Every day, identity theft costs Californians valuable time and money to restore their good name,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This Identity Theft Awareness Week, I urge everyone to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to help reduce the risk of identity theft.”
Tips to Avoid Identity Theft 
Identity theft can happen to anyone. Below are tips that can help you lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft: 

• Protect your Social Security number: SSNs have evolved into a universal identifier, serving as a key to much of your personal information. With your name and SSN alone, an identity thief can open new credit and bank accounts, rent an apartment, or even obtain employment under your name. To protect your SSN, avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet, and instead keep it at home in a safe place. Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary – such as on tax forms or employment records – and if a business asks you for your SSN, see if there is another number that can be used instead. If a government agency asks for it, expect to see a required “disclosure” form that should provide information on whether your SSN is required or optional, how it will be used, and the agency's legal authority to ask for it.

• Recognize "phishing" attempts and don't take the bait: Scam artists "phish" for victims by posing as banks, stores, or government agencies. They will attempt to trick you into providing your personal information via phone call, text, e-mail, and postal mail. While some organizations may need to verify your account number, password, or SSN, legitimate companies will never reach out to you in this way. W-2 phishing emails are another form of phishing scams that are particularly common during tax season. In these types of scams, cybercriminals target and trick employees of a specific company, including employees of payroll or human resources departments, into providing IRS W-2 forms. Using spoofing techniques, the scammer disguises an email to make it appear as if it is coming from an organization’s executive or some other trusted person in an attempt to request a list of all company employees and their W-2 forms. The best way to avoid phishing attempts is to never give out personal information to anyone, unless you are the one who made the initial contact. 

• Protect your online information and accounts with strong passwords: Passwords play an important role in keeping your online accounts and personal information safe. Protect yourself by using different, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Make sure that the passwords you use are at least eight characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s best to never reuse passwords and consider using a password manager. If given the option to do so, consider using a two-factor authentication to provide an extra layer of security to your accounts.

• Check your credit card bills and bank statements often: Protect yourself from fraud by consistently checking your credit card bills and bank statements for signs of identity theft. Look for unauthorized charges, withdrawals, or unexpected bills, and report irregular activity to your bank as soon as you see it. If you notice that a bill didn’t arrive on time, it may mean that someone has changed the contact information on your account in order to hide fraudulent charges.

• Take advantage of free annual credit reports: One of the best ways to protect against identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You are entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Your credit history contains information from financial institutions, utilities, landlords, insurers, and others. By checking your credit reports at least once a year, you can identify signs of identity theft, as well errors in your report that could be raising the cost of your credit. Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-322-8228, or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Victims of Identity Theft
If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office right away. You may also report identity theft and generate a recovery plan using the Federal Trade Commission’s website at identitytheft.gov.
For more information and resources on identity theft, visit the Attorney General’s website at oag.ca.gov/idtheft.

By Arielle Hardy

​With the recent prices of eggs going up to $8 a dozen, consumers all across the nation are left wondering, what is the cause for such a price increase? While many media outlets are blaming the avian flu, other chicken owners with backyard flocks have been reporting that their flocks have not been laying eggs at all since last fall. Some owners are blaming the feed sold by Tractor Supply stores, comparing production to poultry owners who bought local feed, and saw no difference in egg production. 

In regard to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) according the the USDA website, as of January 27, 2023, nationwide there have been only 27 cases of confirmed flocks within the last 30 days, and .38 Million birds affected, as opposed to December at 5.07 Million, or November at 3.75 Million. As of January 19, 2023 the USDA reports that California has had zero commercial flocks affected by the outbreak, and five backyard flocks affected, but somehow total 29,756 birds affected, as if each “backyard flock” would have almost six thousand birds and are considered “backyard?” (However that math adds up.)

If that is the case, with the large amount of egg producers in California, one would look back to the supply and cost of feed. Could the two be linked? Could it be possible that a source of feed that has been distributed throughout the country is somehow linked to both? Is it possible that central locations where people go to buy feed (like Tractor Supply) would be sources of cross contamination from peoples shoes? Why are some states not affected at all?
I would also like to bring forth the question of genetic modification of hatcheries from the sources of poultry breeders. Could it be possible that giant corporations want to control the food supply so much that they would go to the extent of invoking fear into poultry owners and consumers, and then as a ditch-all effort, genetically modify the chicken breeds themselves so they lay less eggs? This would not be the first time we have seen such manipulation with our food supply. 
If HPAI can be transmitted to flocks, what are the patterns of the flocks being affected? Are the owners visiting a local lake and wearing the same boots into the backyard/barnyard? What can you do if you have poultry of your own? Here are some extra safety precautions you can take to help prevent any cross contamination into your flock.

1. Have a Dedicated Pair of “Muck” Boots

This not only helps you to prevent any cross contamination from the bottom of your shoes that you could have picked up from public places (think grocery stores, gas stations, feed stores, parks, or another barnyard) but it also helps to prevent you from tracking in any bacteria that could be in the barn from coming into the house.

1. Wash Shoes Regularly and Wear Protectors

Since HPAI can be linked to wild birds; lakes, rivers, and even parks and trails may have dropping that can be brought back on the bottoms. Filling a shallow tray of soapy water tall just high enough to submerge the soles can be an easy way to have a quick clean. The tray can even be left by the front door during warm months for a few days, which makes for less cleanup hassle. Another option (that I recommend anytime you are visiting another farm, and I was surprised no one was wearing them at the Ag and Art day last year) is to wear protection over your shoes. This can be as simple as plastic bags and rubber bands covering your shoes that you can easily turn inside out and throw away.

1. Keep the Coop Area Clean and Have a Covered Run

For a number of health reasons, it’s always important to keep the coop as clean as possible, especially in cooler, winter months. Having a covered, fully enclosed poultry run not only adds another defense against predators, but helps to prevent wild birds from being able to contaminate a portion of where the birds spend time, and to stay out of your bird's food and water. If a run is not a viable option, a sun cloth covering the outside area may be a good alternative.

While I would like to see more factual evidence of “Avian Flu” causing large companies to process mass amounts of chicken, I will also be further researching the feed and egg production. Backyard flock owners need to take all possible precautions to help themselves be aware, in order to be as self-sufficient as possible, and as new truths become revealed, even more questions rise to the surface. 




1. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-commercial-backyard-flocks

 
QUINCY, CA — Plumas National Forest Road 29N43, commonly known as Antelope Lake Road on the Mount Hough Ranger District is closed for construction.
The gate at the western terminus of Plumas County Road 111 and Forest Road 29N43 is closed.  The road closure extends eastward from the gate to the intersection with Forest Road 28N03 at Boulder Creek Dam near Antelope Lake.
Along approximately 10 miles of the road segment, more than 100 culverts are being replaced to improve drainage and the road will be repaved.
Work is continuing through the winter and early spring as weather conditions allow and the road is closed for public, employee and contractor safety.  Winter storms have resulted in rockfall along the road within the construction area.  The road is also impassible as culverts are removed and replaced.  
Work on the ground on this long term construction project started in late October and is estimated to continue for at least the next 18 months.
A schedule for partial reopening of the road and available detours during the summer recreation season will be provided this March.
“The work being done on Antelope Lake Road is critical for improving drainage, watershed health and public safety due to the road damage from the Walker Fire,” said Plumas National Forest Engineer Jonathan Berry.  “We appreciate everyone’s patience as the contractor and Forest Service engineers work on this extensive project.”
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas, follow the forest on Twitter @USFSPlumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Participants can earn up to $250 for 7-month pilot




SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is recruiting volunteers who reside and travel in rural and tribal communities to participate in the latest testing phase of a “road charge” pilot. Up to 500 volunteers will participate in a seven-month simulated road charge system, which charges drivers based on the number of miles they travel rather than the amount of gas they use to support the state’s critical transportation infrastructure. There will be no cost to participate, and upon completion, volunteers will be eligible to receive an incentive of up to $250.


“Rural and tribal communities have unique travel needs and may interact with a road charge system in different ways,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “It is essential that Caltrans understands their needs as it develops an equitable and convenient alternative to the gas tax.”


Starting in March 2023, the California Road Charge Public-Private Roads Project will explore the technical aspects of reporting mileage, as well as engage rural and tribal communities in a conversation about their communities’ priorities in a potential road charge system to fund road and highway maintenance.


This pilot will simulate how participants interact with a road charge system by reporting mileage and “paying” mock invoices. The pilot will conduct surveys to gauge participants’ preferences and experience.


As vehicles become more fuel-efficient and the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles accelerates, Caltrans is researching possible alternatives to the state gas tax, which California has historically relied on to build and maintain the state’s transportation system. Volatile oil prices and California’s phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035 add increased urgency to research ways to bring long-term stability to transportation funding. For that reason, Caltrans is testing various methods to collect per-mile rather than per-gallon fees.


This demonstration is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Program and will build on Caltrans’ previous road charge pilots: California’s Road Charge Pilot in 2017, which introduced the road charge concept to Californians, and California’s Four-Phase Demonstration, which tested the road charge concept across several platforms including pay-at-the-pump and electric vehicle charging station systems, usage-based insurance, transportation network company fleets, and automated vehicles.


Volunteers interested in participating in the pilot – and the incentive of up to $250 – may visit http://www.caroadcharge.com/projects/public-private-roads-project/ and complete the participant recruitment survey. Participants must be California residents over the age of 18. The pilot is employing the highest standards in data protection and safeguarding, ensuring that Caltrans will not receive any sensitive information from participants.


To learn more about the California Road Charge Project and the Road Charge Program, please visit www.caroadcharge.com.

​

 
QUINCY, CA — Last week, despite wet conditions at higher elevations, 47 acres of pile burning was successfully completed on the Plumas National Forest.  Additional treatments are planned this week on the Feather River and Mount Hough ranger districts, conditions permitting.
The 45 acres remaining on the Concow Rim Road project to prepare for tree planting were completed by the end of the week.  On the Mount Hough Ranger District, 2 acres of pile burning was successfully done in Butterfly Valley.
This week, fire managers on the Feather River Ranger District are planning pile burning from Brush Creek to Bald Rock Trailhead Tuesday and Wednesday, pile burning Scotch broom near Magalia Thursday, and possibly burning piles at Feather Falls, conditions permitting.
On the Mount Hough Ranger District, fire managers are hoping to start ignitions on approximately 75 acres of piles in the Moonlight burn area near Antelope Lake to prepare the area for replanting this spring and summer as part of restoration efforts.  These piles are at lower elevation and there is still 2 to 3 feet of snow on the ground in the area.
Smoke is expected to be visible in nearby communities, including Brush Creek, Berry Creek and Magalia on the Feather River Ranger District.  The Moonlight pile burning will be visible to communities in Indian Valley and possibly communities along U.S. Highway 395, including Susanville.  There are no expected significant long-term impacts to nearby communities. 
Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along neighboring forest roads. 
Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.  Drivers in the area should use caution.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve.  Firefighters will be monitoring conditions and the burning piles until fires are out.

OAKLAND – In recognition of Identity Theft Awareness Week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today provided Californians with tips to avoid falling victim to identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud, typically for financial gain. This can include your name, credit card information, Social Security Number (SSN), or other identifying information. This Identity Theft Awareness Week, Attorney General Bonta encourages individuals to utilize the tips below to keep their assets safe from identity theft and fraud. 
“Every day, identity theft costs Californians valuable time and money to restore their good name,” said Attorney General Bonta. “This Identity Theft Awareness Week, I urge everyone to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to help reduce the risk of identity theft.”
Tips to Avoid Identity Theft 
Identity theft can happen to anyone. Below are tips that can help you lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft: 

• Protect your Social Security number: SSNs have evolved into a universal identifier, serving as a key to much of your personal information. With your name and SSN alone, an identity thief can open new credit and bank accounts, rent an apartment, or even obtain employment under your name. To protect your SSN, avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet, and instead keep it at home in a safe place. Only provide your SSN when absolutely necessary – such as on tax forms or employment records – and if a business asks you for your SSN, see if there is another number that can be used instead. If a government agency asks for it, expect to see a required “disclosure” form that should provide information on whether your SSN is required or optional, how it will be used, and the agency's legal authority to ask for it.

• Recognize "phishing" attempts and don't take the bait: Scam artists "phish" for victims by posing as banks, stores, or government agencies. They will attempt to trick you into providing your personal information via phone call, text, e-mail, and postal mail. While some organizations may need to verify your account number, password, or SSN, legitimate companies will never reach out to you in this way. W-2 phishing emails are another form of phishing scams that are particularly common during tax season. In these types of scams, cybercriminals target and trick employees of a specific company, including employees of payroll or human resources departments, into providing IRS W-2 forms. Using spoofing techniques, the scammer disguises an email to make it appear as if it is coming from an organization’s executive or some other trusted person in an attempt to request a list of all company employees and their W-2 forms. The best way to avoid phishing attempts is to never give out personal information to anyone, unless you are the one who made the initial contact. 

• Protect your online information and accounts with strong passwords: Passwords play an important role in keeping your online accounts and personal information safe. Protect yourself by using different, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Make sure that the passwords you use are at least eight characters, including a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. It’s best to never reuse passwords and consider using a password manager. If given the option to do so, consider using a two-factor authentication to provide an extra layer of security to your accounts.

• Check your credit card bills and bank statements often: Protect yourself from fraud by consistently checking your credit card bills and bank statements for signs of identity theft. Look for unauthorized charges, withdrawals, or unexpected bills, and report irregular activity to your bank as soon as you see it. If you notice that a bill didn’t arrive on time, it may mean that someone has changed the contact information on your account in order to hide fraudulent charges.

• Take advantage of free annual credit reports: One of the best ways to protect against identity theft is to monitor your credit history. You are entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Your credit history contains information from financial institutions, utilities, landlords, insurers, and others. By checking your credit reports at least once a year, you can identify signs of identity theft, as well errors in your report that could be raising the cost of your credit. Order your free annual credit reports by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-322-8228, or online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Victims of Identity Theft
If you are a victim of identity theft, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office right away. You may also report identity theft and generate a recovery plan using the Federal Trade Commission’s website at identitytheft.gov.
For more information and resources on identity theft, visit the Attorney General’s website at oag.ca.gov/idtheft.

Sierra County’s people are our most treasured resource. The Upstate Creative Corp grant applications will soon be available on-line.  The Sierra County Arts Council will be seeking a diverse panel pool ensures the integrity of our grant review process for all applicants, representative of our county’s unique rural demographics, eclectic geography, and wealth of organizations, perspectives, and knowledge.
Eligible applicants will be included in a panelist pool to be approved by Sierra County Arts Council – as a partner agency to the Administering Organization for the California Arts Council – in the months preceding the 2023-24 Upstate California Creative Corps grant activity period.
Specifically, panelists selected to serve the Upstate California Creative Corps will be reviewing Sierra County’s applications. We will contact panelist applicants between February and March, 2023.
The Upstate California Creative Corps is a media, outreach, and engagement campaign designed to increase awareness around public health, water and energy conservation, climate mitigation, emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery, civic engagement, and social justice. $3.38m will be re-granted to artists, and arts and social service organizations, as well as units of government, who will employ artists to this end.
Panelists must meet the following criteria:

1. They must be Sierra County residents
   
2. They must be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of multiple applications based on our Upstate California Creative Corps published program goals and review criteria
   
3. They must have the capacity to take part in three (3) mandatory virtual group meetings and 10-12 hours reviewing grants, taking notes, and attending meetings and orientations over a six-to-eight-week period. Each panelist receives a modest honorarium of $150. All reviews and meetings may take place in-person and / or remotely. More information about reviewing grants will be provided at the appropriate time.
   
4. If you are also a member of an organization or are an individual artist appling for the Creative Corps grant, you may still serve on the panel. As a panelist, you will be required to recuse yourself for assessment of your application.
   

What's next? If you would like to apply click on the “Apply” button below. Once you complete the form, you'll receive an automated message confirming your submission. Then, we'll follow up and contact panel applicants on an individual basis as we begin putting panels together. More about Upstate California Creative Corps can be found at upstatecreativecorps.org.
Questions? If you have any questions, please reach out to B.J. Jordan 530-961-2188 or bj@sierracountyartscouncil.org. Thank you for your interest in becoming a panelist, we look forward to talking talking with you soon.

Sierra County’s people are our most treasured resource. The Upstate Creative Corp grant applications will soon be available on-line.  The Sierra County Arts Council will be seeking a diverse panel pool ensures the integrity of our grant review process for all applicants, representative of our county’s unique rural demographics, eclectic geography, and wealth of organizations, perspectives, and knowledge.
Eligible applicants will be included in a panelist pool to be approved by Sierra County Arts Council – as a partner agency to the Administering Organization for the California Arts Council – in the months preceding the 2023-24 Upstate California Creative Corps grant activity period.
Specifically, panelists selected to serve the Upstate California Creative Corps will be reviewing Sierra County’s applications. We will contact panelist applicants between February and March, 2023.
The Upstate California Creative Corps is a media, outreach, and engagement campaign designed to increase awareness around public health, water and energy conservation, climate mitigation, emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery, civic engagement, and social justice. $3.38m will be re-granted to artists, and arts and social service organizations, as well as units of government, who will employ artists to this end.
Panelists must meet the following criteria:

1. They must be Sierra County residents
2. They must be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of multiple applications based on our Upstate California Creative Corps published program goals and review criteria
3. They must have the capacity to take part in three (3) mandatory virtual group meetings and 10-12 hours reviewing grants, taking notes, and attending meetings and orientations over a six-to-eight-week period. Each panelist receives a modest honorarium of $150. All reviews and meetings may take place in-person and / or remotely. More information about reviewing grants will be provided at the appropriate time.
4. If you are also a member of an organization or are an individual artist applying for the Creative Corps grant, you may still serve on the panel. As a panelist, you will be required to recuse yourself for assessment of your application.

What's next? Apply on line at www.sierracountyartscouncil.org. Once you complete the form, you'll receive an automated message confirming your submission. Then, we'll follow up and contact panel applicants on an individual basis as we begin putting panels together. More about Upstate California Creative Corps can be found at upstatecreativecorps.org.
Questions? If you have any questions, please reach out to B.J. Jordan 530-961-2188 or bj@sierracountyartscouncil.org.
 

SACRAMENTO — The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated over $988 million today to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state. This funding includes more than $450 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and more than $250 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
 
“The CTC’s investments will help rebuild California’s transportation infrastructure while increasing transit and active transportation options. These projects reflect the CTC and Caltrans’ commitment to safety and meeting future challenges,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

District 2 Projects the CTC approved include

• Feather River Inn Intersection Project (Near Blairsden, from 0.4 mile east of Little Bear Road to 0.4 mile west of Route 89): New roadway construction to Route 70, drainage work, and striping.

 

• Cromberg Rehab Project (In and near Cromberg and Portola, from Gill Ranch Road to 0.2 mile west of Big Grizzly Creek Bridge): Rehabilitate roadway, repair and replace culverts, upgrade guardrail, upgrade bridge railing at Humbug Creek Bridge, and make pedestrian facilities Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. The project will also improve safety and ride quality. This project includes $95.7M in IIJA funding.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.
 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. –The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced that recent storms will allow the State Water Project (SWP) to boost deliveries to 29 public water agencies serving 27 million Californians. Based on the amount of water captured and stored in recent weeks, DWR now expects to deliver 30 percent of requested water supplies – or 1.27 million acre-feet -- in 2023, up from the initial 5 percent announced on December 1.
The allocation increase is the direct result of extreme weather in late December and nine atmospheric rivers in early January that helped fill reservoirs and dramatically increase the Sierra Nevada snowpack. The SWP’s two largest reservoirs (Oroville and San Luis) have gained a combined 1.62 million acre-feet of water in storage -- roughly enough to provide water to 5.6 million households for a year. While Water Year 2023 began with below average precipitation, conditions shifted to extreme above average conditions.

“We are pleased that we can increase the allocation now and provide more water to local water agencies,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These storms made clear the importance of our efforts to modernize our existing water infrastructure for an era of intensified drought and flood. Given these dramatic swings, these storm flows are badly needed to refill groundwater basins and support recycled water plants.”
The updated SWP delivery forecast takes into account current reservoir storage and is based on a conservative runoff forecast.  It does not take into account the current Sierra Nevada snowpack. DWR will conduct snow surveys on February 1, March 1, April 1, and May 1 and may further update the allocation as the water supply outlook becomes clearer with the new data.

In addition to on the ground surveys, DWR will gather data from its Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) surveys. For the second year in a row, DWR is broadening the deployment of these more sophisticated technologies, such as ASO surveys, that can collect snow measurements farther upslope of the Sierra Nevada. The data from these flights, which use LiDAR and spectrometer technology to measure snowpack across broad swaths of key watersheds, will be used by DWR to get a more accurate account of California’s snowpack and to update water supply runoff forecasts. Since the storms California experienced this month saw variable snow elevations, the data from ASO flights will help DWR verify snow course and snow sensor data and understand how snow has been distributed across the Sierra Nevada.
DWR cautioned that while recent storms have been impressive, two months remain in the wet season and California could see a return to warm and dry conditions prior to April 1. Californians should continue to use water wisely to help the state adapt to a hotter, drier future and the possible return of drought.
The SWP pumps currently are operating at maximum capacity of 9,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will continue to be adjusted as needed to meet State and federal requirements.  However, had the proposed Delta Conveyance Project been in place, the SWP could have stored an additional 202,000 acre-feet of water – enough to supply more than 710,000 households for a year – between January 1 and January 23 while staying within compliance of rules to protect endangered species.
California traditionally receives half its rain and snow by the end of January. Water managers will reassess conditions monthly throughout the winter and spring. Starting in February, the assessments will incorporate snowpack data and runoff forecasts.

Water managers will be monitoring how the wet season develops and whether further actions may be necessary later in the winter. Additional actions that have been taken previously, such as submission of a Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) or installation of the West False River Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, are unlikely this year based on current conditions.
Each year, DWR provides the initial SWP allocation by December 1 based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June.
The lowest initial SWP allocation was zero percent on December 1, 2021, with limited water designated only for any unmet human health and safety needs. Last year’s final allocation was 5 percent plus unmet human health and safety needs. Four of the 29 State Water Contractors ultimately requested and received additional human health and safety water supply.
​

California has strong laws to remove guns from dangerous individuals when red flags are present 
LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a public safety alert reminding Californians of the strong laws in place to temporarily remove guns from dangerous individuals and potentially prevent an oncoming tragedy. The Attorney General reminds Californians that, in addition to criminal laws that prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms, California has strong protections in the form of civil orders: Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVRO) and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVRO), as well as other orders like Workplace Violence Prevention Orders, School Violence Restraining Orders, and Civil Harassment orders. These protections allow for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals who may be a danger to themselves or others. These orders can be a critical tool to remove firearms and prevent the purchase of new guns by individuals who pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. 
“Often in the aftermath of tragedies such as mass shootings, we hear about red flags displayed by the perpetrator that could have signaled an impending crisis or trauma,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California has strong red flag laws that allow the public and law enforcement to recommend the removal of guns from those who may be a potential threat. Criminal and civil orders that result in the removal of firearms are critical tools that can help save lives, but they are severely underutilized. When you have concerns that someone may pose a threat, we encourage you to act; If you see something, say something. We are in this together, and together we can save lives.”
In 2016, California became one of the first states to enact a red flag law. In California, these laws are called Gun Violence Restraining Orders, or GVROs. GVROs are court orders that prohibit individuals from owning or possessing firearms. The law initially allowed only law enforcement officers and family members of a person they believed was a danger to themselves or others to petition the court to prohibit that person from possessing firearms. The law has since been expanded to allow law enforcement officers, family members, employers, coworkers, and school employees to petition the court for a GVRO to prohibit a person from possessing firearms who they believe poses a serious threat.  
In addition to GVROs, someone experiencing abuse or harassment may be able to obtain other civil orders through their local court or through law enforcement. These orders include DVROs, Workplace Violence Prevention Orders, School Violence Restraining Orders, and Civil Harassment orders. These orders provide protection for people being harassed or abused and include firearm prohibitions. Individuals who are in fear of or experiencing abuse by someone with whom they are in a close relationship – such as a current or former spouse, partner, or parent – can request a DVRO.  
These critical laws can assist law enforcement in recovering firearms from individuals who have shown a probability to commit violence, harassment, or abuse. Additionally, they can prevent those individuals from obtaining firearms in the first place. 
For more information on how to obtain Emergency or Permanent orders under these provisions, go to courts.ca.gov or oag.ca.gov/ovgp/gvro-dvro. 
Attorney General Bonta has long-advocated for the increased use of GVROs to prevent gun violence. In October 2022, Attorney General Bonta brought together California's city attorneys and county counsels for a special virtual convening on GVROs. The goal of the meeting was to highlight the lifesaving impact of GVROs and to provide resources and impetus for local agencies to establish GVRO programs in their offices. Attorney General Bonta specifically cited the success of San Diego’s comprehensive GVRO program. Under this program, Deputy City Attorneys apply for GVROs on behalf of officers from the San Diego Police Department. In 2021, over 31% or 435 of the 1,384 GVROs issued statewide were issued in San Diego County. Since the inception of the groundbreaking program, more than 1,500 firearms have been confiscated through GVROs. Removing these firearms is believed to have prevented multiple violent incidents, including mass shootings. 
Victims of domestic violence who are in immediate danger should call 911. For additional information and assistance call:

• The 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)
• The Victims of Crime Resource Center: 1-800-VICTIMS (1-800-842-8467)

For additional information on resources available to survivors of sexual violence please visit: oag.ca.gov/sexual-violence.

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QUINCY, CA — Work resumed today on the pile burning that started last week on the Feather River Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest.
Approximately 5 acres were treated last week near Concow Rim Road.  The goal this week is to burn the remaining 45 acres of piles this week in preparation for tree planting for forest restoration later this winter.  Today firefighters were able to successfully treat 10 acres of piles.
Additional fire management resources from other national forests in the area are assisting with the project.  Pile burning is only occurring as conditions allow and ignitions are expected to continue through Thursday.
The Mount Hough Ranger District is planning to ignite approximately 10 acres of the Butterfly East Timber piles in Butterfly Valley tomorrow, conditions permitting.
Conditions are being monitored across the forest for opportunities for pile burning as part of fuel reduction efforts.
Smoke is expected to be visible but not have significant long-term impacts to nearby communities, including Meadow Valley and Quincy.  Short duration, minor smoke impacts are expected along Highway 70 and neighboring forest roads. 
Visibility on roads in the project areas may be reduced, especially early in the morning and late evening as smoke settles.  Drivers in the area should use caution.
If weather conditions become unfavorable, including increased or gusty winds in the area, burning will stop until conditions improve.  Firefighters will be monitoring conditions and the burning piles until fires are out.
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas. 
 

​LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met January 17th. With no total given on the Aged Balances for water and sewer charges in the packet, Council member Joy Markum reported “good luck” with credit card payments which have brought down the aged balances, $4-5,000.

POTENTIAL SALE OF SOCIAL HALL
Joy and Mayor Sarah Jackson have been in meetings with the County and Probation on leasing the entire Social Hall at City Park and discussion has been held on consideration of selling the building if there is a fair market value agreement. Key factors are it being part of a 10-acre parcel, parking and if City residents are in favor of selling the building.
Councilman Jerry Gerow felt it hard not knowing the selling price and the total rent. Current rent by Probation is $1,000/month with $100 credit for a shared propane account. The entire building would rent for $1,700/month with renter maintaining the inside and the City maintaining the outside.  Mayor Sarah called the “tricky part” it being two government agencies and no similar comparisons in the City.  She explained it was not signing a Bill of Sale but just getting a consensus if a sale is good to pursue.
Council member Dorie Gayner made the motion to move forward to consider the County to purchase the Social Hall if it is financially appropriate. It was seconded by Joy and Jerry voted no. The mayor stated if it wasn’t profitable, they don’t move forward.

PROP. 68 COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT
Louie Siqueido volunteer of Sierra Brooks and Sierra Valley Little League President who has helped spearhead the new Community Center to include sports and recreation, gave a presentation which included a need of $6,400 to purchase the building’s architectural design and code review as a pre-service. He told how the $177,000 grant is not enough to replace the pool building with a 120’ x 100’ building, manufactured and shipped. which is now $290,000.
Lindsay McIntosh of Musica Sierra  has pursued funding options for significant contributions and other grants. She told of tying in the old church building and incorporating both projects at the City Park. She called a Phase Two “challenging” with the church building requiring all private funding. She stated sustainability is key.
Owen McIntosh talked of an online community survey of 109 households; 89 with “high interest.” Survey results showed residents' recreational budgets and what they were willing to pay and how they wanted the school building and were willing to spend money toward it. 
Louie stated the $6,400 can be covered against the grant and they have three years to get the building operational. He stated they are short $200,000 on the size shell and a Community Block Grant can fully fund the inside. Asked if they need that big a building, he said no but want to accommodate all programs. 
Jerry questioned water demands, how many kitchens and baths. Louie told how it’s been “zero cost” so far for all site work.
Dorie made a motion to move forward with the $6,400 out of the grant for the design services phase, seconded by Joy with Jerry voting no, stating they don’t even know the size.
 
511 AND 509 MAIN STREET
Elizabeth Morgan approached the Council over 509 and 511 Main Street which she purchased in 2000. She told of three “very, very large trees, big and old,” and a Title report that looks like an alley with no dimensions, “not even on my parcel.” She found a 1926 Record of Survey that shows an alley where the trees are located. On New Years Eve a branch fell onto a neighbor’s building and she called it a “real hazard.” She hired a lawyer and told the Council, “It is your property. You’re responsible.”  
The mayor told how the part of the alley disappears in a 1958 map and since then “all homes utilize the space as personal space,” not under the City. Elizabeth stated if the property is not owned, the jurisdiction is the City’s.  Joy said the property had been abandoned and given to her. Elizabeth said it’s not on her deed. Sarah responded and asked if Elizabeth wanted a lot line adjustment and for them to give her the property. She stated all public easement has been blocked and the City never utilized it.  She gave Elizabeth the choice if the City owns it the City regains it and her renter no longer parks on the property or adjust the lot line and she does the trees. There will be a special meeting.

Loyalton Grizzlies are having some exciting wins!  Join the fun. Next home games are January 25th against Virginia City. Winterfest is January 27th and games are against Greenville. Keep current with the schedule in the Booster! 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a series of public hearings will be held by Participating Agencies (i.e., City of Portola, Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Sierra Valley Fire Protection District, and Gold Mountain Community Services District) to consider adopting substantially similar Resolutions of Application to the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) for the formation of the “Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District” (Beckwourth Peak FPD) and the reorganization of existing fire service providers in the affected territory in accordance with Government Code Section 56853.  The respective agencies plan to consider this item at the following public hearings:

Sierra Valley FPD Board Hearing
February 14, 2023 – 7:00pm
Chilcoot Fire Station
94362 Highway 70, Chilcoot, CA 96105
​
Beckwourth FPD Board Hearing
February 15, 2023 – 6:30pm
Beckwourth Fire Station No. 1
180 Main Street, Beckwourth, CA 96129

Gold Mountain CSD Board Hearing
February 17, 2023 – 10:00am
GMCSD Conference Room
150 Pacific Street, Suite 8, Portola, CA 96122

City of Portola Council Hearing
February 22, 2023 – 6:00pm
City Hall Council Chambers
35 Third Avenue, Portola, CA 96122

Formation of the Beckwourth Peak FPD would serve to consolidate fire protection, emergency medical and rescue services into a regional district and establish a reliable source of revenue to support services. The Beckwourth Peak FPD will be governed by a five-member board of directors elected by the registered voters residing within the boundaries of the new district. The formation will result in the concurrent dissolution of the Beckwourth FPD and the Sierra Valley FPD, the divestiture of power to provide fire protection by Gold Mountain CSD, and the transfer of responsibility for providing fire protection by the City of Portola. All remaining assets, including real property assets, fire stations, rolling stock and equipment will be transferred to the Beckwourth Peak FPD as the successor agency.

Formation of the Beckwourth Peak FPD is intended to address common issues faced by the affected agencies including significant financial constraints in the face of rising costs, increasing critical non-fire life safety calls that require more resources to adequately serve those in need, reliance solely on volunteers in a time of declining volunteerism, illogical fire service boundaries, disjointed service operations and planning, and difficulty maintaining full governing bodies from small population bases.

The overall objective of the regional district is to provide a cost effective, well trained, and professional volunteer fire agency for years to come through the implementation of modern and efficient programs and providing opportunities to professionals and volunteers.

Since the Beckwourth Peak FPD will be formed through consolidation of several existing agencies, all existing apparatus and other vehicles and equipment will be transferred to the Beckwourth Peak FPD upon formation. The approval of a new special tax by the registered voters within the new fire district boundary and the successful execution of a property tax exchange agreement with the County are requested LAFCo conditions of reorganization/formation approval. The revenue generated by these two key funding sources and continued fundraising, donations and grants are essential for establishing a reliable budget for which the Beckwourth Peak FPD will need to maintain and improve its capacity to provide fire and EMS services.

This Notice of Intent for formation of the Beckwourth Peak FPD and reorganization of existing fire service providers in the affected territory, serves as the required 21-day notice pursuant to California Government Code Sections 56654(c).  Anyone who wishes to be heard on this matter of the included agencies detailed above, may appear at one or more of the public hearings and be heard. For more information, please visit: www.fireprotectplumas.org or email: FireProtectPlumas@gmail.com.

VALLEJO, CA Jan 19 -- Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today (Jan. 19) expanded efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the western U.S., directly affecting national forests here in California.
These investments, made possible through the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will directly benefit at-risk communities and critical infrastructure across 11 additional landscapes in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.   
“It is no longer a matter of if a wildfire will threaten many western communities in these landscapes, it is a matter of when,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The need to invest more and to move quickly is apparent. This is a crisis and President Biden is treating it as one. Today’s announcement will bring more than $490 million to 11 key landscapes across the western United States, and will be used to restore our national forests, including the restoration of resilient old-growth forest conditions.”
In California, the following landscapes were selected for increased funding:

1. Southern California Fireshed Risk Reduction Strategy (California – 4M acres): The immense values at risk in southern California and the collaborative solutions underway for vegetation management represent investment opportunities to avoid staggering social, economic, and ecological costs.
2. Trinity Forest Health and Fire Resilient Rural Communities (California – 910K acres): California’s northern forests are naturally adapted to low-intensity fire. The health and well-being of California communities and ecosystems depend on urgent and effective forest and rangeland stewardship to restore resilient and diverse ecosystems. Numerous roads through the area serve as critical ingress/egress routes for local communities.
3. Klamath River Basin (Oregon, California – 10M acres) The Forest Service manages about 55 percent of the 10-million-acre Klamath Basin. These lands generate 80 percent of the mean annual surface water supply to the Klamath River. The area provides important habitat for fish listed under the Endangered Species Act.

4.     Plumas Community Protection (California – 285K acres): The Plumas Community Protection Projects Landscape focuses on community zones across the Plumas National Forest with very high, high, or moderate wildfire hazard potential.
5.     Sierra and Elko Fronts (Nevada, California – 3.4M acres): This Intermountain Region project includes work in California. The project totals 3.4 million acres and encompasses landscapes in two states. These two projects together demonstrate the comprehensive landscape treatment goal of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
This announcement complements the agency’s 10 landscape projects announced in 2022 and the agency’s broader strategy to address critical infrastructure, community protection, and forest resilience at risk to catastrophic wildfire. Combined with the initial investment landscapes, these actions will span nearly 45 million acres across 137 of the 250 high-risk firesheds in the western U.S., with a total investment of $930 million on 21 landscapes across 26.7 million acres in 2023. This work will mitigate risk to approximately 200 communities within these landscapes.
“Restoring natural forest health and diversity with thoughtful, science-based fuels treatments is critical for the future of California communities and natural resources,” said Kara Chadwick, Deputy Regional Forester with the Pacific Southwest Region. “With our partners, we are dramatically increasing the scope and pace of fuels reduction projects in landscapes across the state.”
To meet this moment, Secretary Vilsack is also authorizing the Forest Service to utilize a new emergency authority in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, combined with strategic implementation of existing authorities. Doing so will enable the agency to move more quickly in applying targeted treatments to high-risk firesheds identified in the agency’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, as well as post-fire recovery areas most impacted the past several years.   
These actions are required to be conducted in an ecologically appropriate manner that maximizes the retention of large trees and considers historically underserved communities and tribes. The need to continue working collaboratively with communities and partners is critical.  In California, the Regional Forester is co-lead of the California and Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force with California Natural Resources Agency secretary Wade Crowfoot. The Task Force is aligning billions of dollars in state and federal funds to increase the pace and scale of treatments.
“Doing this work in the right place, at the right time, and at the right scale, combined with the use of emergency authorities, will accelerate our planning, consultation, contracting, hiring and project work to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health and resilience,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “Collaboration with Tribes, communities and partners will remain a priority, and we will continue to use the best available science when carrying out this important work.”
Background: The Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy 
This announcement comes on the anniversary of the launch of the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which debuted Jan. 18, 2022. A few months later in April, the agency introduced the initial 10 fire-prone landscapes that are now funded for the next five years through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.  
Since releasing its Wildfire Crisis Strategy one year ago, the Forest Service and its partners have used the best available science and data to identify the highest risk landscapes for treatment projects. The Forest Service found that around 80% of the wildfire risk to communities is concentrated in less than 10% of “firesheds,” or areas where wildfires are likely to threaten communities and infrastructure. These targeted investments focus on firesheds of the highest risk, where projects are ready to begin or to expand.  
The 10-year strategy calls for treating up to 20 million acres on national forests and grasslands and up to 30 million acres of treatments on other federal, state, Tribal, private and family lands.  
Over the past 20 years, many states have had record catastrophic wildfires, devastating communities, lives and livelihoods, and causing billions of dollars in damage. More than 10 million acres – more than twice the size of New Jersey – burned each year across the U.S. in 2020, 2017 and 2015.  
The Wildfire Crisis Strategy builds on current work, leverages congressional authorities and partnerships to support the department’s work to mitigate wildfire risk, and restore forest health over the next decade. In addition to State Forest Action Plans, the strategy also aligns with the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, Tribal Forest Protection Act, Good Neighbor Authority, Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership and Shared Stewardship agreements.  
In June 2022, USDA released the Secretary’s Memorandum on Climate Resilience and Carbon Stewardship of America’s National Forests and Grasslands. The Secretary’s memo builds on previous actions on climate change, equity, and forest resilience, but provides more specific and time-bound actions to integrate into agency programs. The Forest Service used the guidance in the Secretary’s memo to better inform the selection criteria for projects under the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, including equity, source water protection, community infrastructure, and wildlife corridors. Recognizing that insects, disease, and wildfire are among the most significant threats to mature and old growth forests, in alignment with the Administration, the Forest Service will be targeting hazardous fuels reduction projects to address these threats to promote the recruitment, protection and restoration of mature or old-growth forests.  
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

The "Hub" will replace the former Loyalton Swimming Pool building at Loyalton City Park.

By Ted Gaines
Word Count 574
 
California reigned for decades as the unmatched destination for people around the country. Now people can’t leave fast enough. Recently released numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that between July 2021 and July 2022, California lost roughly 343,000 residents to other states. This number is a “domestic net migration” figure, meaning that 343,000 more Americans moved out of California over those 12 months than moved here from other states.
 
Where are they going? The number-one net migration winner over that period was Florida, which gained around 319,000 residents from other states.
 
It’s too easy to say exclusively that Newsom is driving people out of state and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is attracting them, but to the extent the two governors symbolize different approaches to taxation, regulation, and liberty, it holds true. People are leaving Newsom-like states and flocking to DeSantis-like states. If you want to handicap the 2024 presidential election, this is a good place to start.
 
The states shedding domestic population are progressive strongholds, with extensive regulatory regimens, strong public employee unions and other Democrat policy priorities. They are, simply, big government states. High tax, high cost of living states. Joining California in the top five net losers are New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
 
States attracting Americans are lower-cost, lower-tax, Republican strongholds. Trailing Florida in the top five net gainers are Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
 
And even if your individual tax burden is not too bad in California, big government, supported by high taxes (regardless of who pays them) indicates a mindset that the state should always be doing more and additional money for government is inherently good.
 
This bigger-is-better approach leads to government solutions in search of problems.
 
It’s why California government seeps into every crack of your life, blocking the exercise of what you can eat, what house you build, what car you drive, how much you keep of the money you earn, down to such trivialities as what drinking straws you can get in a restaurant. Do you feel as though you personally need government monitoring your straw usage, or is that a decision you are competent to make as an adult? Florida trusts you to choose your own straw, California does not.
 
The California government mindset drives up costs in every area of living. Looking at taxes alone doesn’t tell a complete story of government-imposed costs. How many taxes would have to move lower to make up for policy-driven expenses in California? Would a one-percent decrease make up for gas that’s two-dollars-a-gallon higher than the national average? Would slightly lower sales taxes offset electricity costs 80-percent higher than the national average? Exactly what tax would offset the cost of an $800,000 starter home, driven in part by extraordinary regulatory costs in our state?
 
California will always be desirable for the wealthy. I defy another state to produce a Yosemite, a Golden Gate, giant redwoods, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, Santa Monica beach…the list of our wonders is long, if you can afford to enjoy them. But our unmatched beauty is apparently overwhelmed by policy failures of colossal dimension. People are voting with their feet and moving.
 
It says so much about our government’s misguided agenda that hundreds of thousands of people last year abandoned everything this state has to offer because of everything this state takes away. It’s time for an affordability revolution in California to turn us once again into a destination state.
 
Senator Ted Gaines (Ret.) was elected to represent the Board of Equalization’s First District. He is a leading taxpayer advocate, defender of Prop. 13, and is committed to providing trustworthy and transparent representation for nearly ten million constituents in 34 counties of northern, eastern, and southern California. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Gaines.
 

New Task Force Seeking Public Members to Contribute to Pre-Drought Planning and Emergency Response Efforts


SACRAMENTO, Calif. –While California’s drought outlook is improving, the State is continuing to proactively prepare for a return to dry conditions amid climate-driven extremes in weather. Today, Department of Water Resources (DWR) is officially launching a standing Drought Resilience Interagency and Partners (DRIP) Collaborative, which will include members of the public. Community members and water users are encouraged to apply.
Initiated by Senate Bill 552, the DRIP Collaborative will foster partnerships between local governments, experts, community representatives and state agencies to address drought planning, emergency response, and ongoing management. Members will help ensure support for community needs and anticipate and mitigate drought impacts, especially for small water supplier and rural communities who are often more vulnerable to droughts.
While recent storms have filled many of the state’s reservoirs to average or above average levels and improved water conditions, much of the state remains in drought following the past three years of extreme drought – the state’s driest on record. 
“Even as the state’s drought outlook improves, it’s critical that the water community all work together to advance drought planning and response for the state’s hotter, drier future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “We’re looking for a variety of representatives statewide to actively participate on behalf of all water users to achieve a drought resilient future.”
The DRIP Collaborative will include a total of 26 members, comprising state agency representatives and two appointees from each of the following groups: local governments, community-based organizations, Tribes, nonprofit technical assistance providers, the general public, agriculture, environmental representatives, public water systems, small water suppliers or urban water agencies, and experts in land use planning, water resilience, or water infrastructure.
DWR is accepting Letters of Interest until February 24, 2023, and DWR will announce selected members of the DRIP Collaborative in spring 2023. Members will be chosen based on answers to a series of questions about their background, available time commitment and expected contributions to the Collaborative. Interested parties can visit the DWR website for more information on how to submit Letters of Interest.
The first meeting is scheduled for April 6, 2023. Meetings will occur tri-annually and will be open to the public. DRIP Collaborative meetings will coordinate multiple state agencies to present the current and projected drought conditions the State is experiencing, discuss potential impacts in small water supplier and rural communities, challenges on-the-ground based on water community expertise, and align state programs, funding, and strategies to anticipate and proactively address climate-driven effects. The Drought Resilience Interagency and Partners Collaborative will serve as a public forum to address drought-related issues and solutions across a State interagency team.   

​

SACRAMENTO - Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (Yuba City) issued the following statement ahead of President Biden’s visit to California, calling on the President and Governor Newsom to prioritize infrastructure to protect and improve the lives of Californians:

“Newsom & Biden’s allies on the far left continue to throw up roadblocks to improving critical infrastructure. Everything from fuels reduction projects that protect communities from wildfire to water storage get bogged down in red tape.

“This is a matter of safety. The President and the Governor need to reject the extremists that stop us from delivering for Californians.

”And if anyone is wondering where we can get the money for these infrastructure projects, there’s a $100 billion train to nowhere and 87,000 new IRS agents we could pull money from.”
​

LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met January 17th. With no total given on the Aged Balances for water and sewer charges in the packet, Council member Joy Markum reported “good luck” with credit card payments which have brought down the aged balances, $4-5,000.

POTENTIAL SALE OF SOCIAL HALL
Joy and Mayor Sarah Jackson have been in meetings with the County and Probation on leasing the entire Social Hall at City Park and discussion has been held on consideration of selling the building if there is a fair market value agreement. Key factors are it being part of a 10-acre parcel, parking and if City residents are in favor of selling the building.
Councilman Jerry Gerow felt it hard not knowing the selling price and the total rent. Current rent by Probation is $1,000/month with $100 credit for a shared propane account. The entire building would rent for $1,700/month with renter maintaining the inside and the City maintaining the outside.  Mayor Sarah called the “tricky part” it being two government agencies and no similar comparisons in the City.  She explained it was not signing a Bill of Sale but just getting a consensus if a sale is good to pursue.
Council member Dorie Gayner made the motion to move forward to consider the County to purchase the Social Hall if it is financially appropriate. It was seconded by Joy and Jerry voted no. The mayor stated if it wasn’t profitable, they don’t move forward.