ACTION at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, November 17th in Loyalton approved a letter to the Plumas National Forest regarding the Over-Snow Vehicle (OSV) Management Planning process. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals said the letter was provided in response to a collection of meetings. He said Sierra County attended the first session in Quincy and had been closely following the progress of the OSV travel management plan. He added the Plumas National Forest was gracious to have the fourth meeting in Sierra City. Beals stated the letter highlights a number of points determined to be significant by the Sierra County Board of Supervisors. He said a primary issue was to request the Plumas National Forest maintain the status quo, as the Tahoe National Forest has done. Beals stated there’s concern about Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) crossings, which in 20 feet of snow is hard enough to find yet damage. Beals said Supervisor Lee Adams stated the vehicle code already addresses this issue as it pertains to crossing highways. Third concern is about the process of when to groom. Beals said the process is hard to describe, and felt there needed to be a better process to determine when and where there’s 12 inches of snow. He would like Sierra County to be part of the process, particularly because of the involvement in the grooming program. Beals thought there was a weak analysis of the economic and social impacts particularly the connection between La Porte and Truckee. He said
the PNF seems to think that everyone who uses PNF comes through Plumas County not taking into consideration the Bassetts gateway into the PNF.
Beals said the last point was several thousand acres being pulled out of Jamison Canyon region. He stated the Forest Service is trying to take responsibility but it was clear that the decision was made in a Plumas County board meeting.
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION regarding Title III funding requests for Wayman Dam pond wildfire suppression project and Sierra Brooks defensible space project and possible direction to seek funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)– 2015-2016 State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund Grant Program was held at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, November 17th in Loyalton. Supervisors Scott Schelfstein and Lee Adams led the discussion. Schlefstein talked with Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals and Auditor/Tax Collector Van Maddox on rules for this funding and what can be done. Maddox said the money is allowed for and this work qualifies for that, adding the work has to be tied within 200 feet of structures, buildings, or homes. Maddox stated the work seemed to be an appropriate use of the money. Schlefstein said the Sierra Brooks project is within the 200 foot limitation and funding will cover chipping and labor. Sierra County Fire Safe Chairman Dave Goicoechea said they’ve coordinated with SNC and fire safe and expect favorable receipt of grant applications to be submitted. Goicoechea stated work has been coordinated with Sierra Brooks residents. He added Department of Fish and Game wants $2,000 to review the plan (CEQA filing fee), but will do it to get work done in Sierra Brooks. He added the grants are going forward and he would be back at the next meeting to give a progress report. Supervisor Paul Roen said Sierra County was recently awarded an SRA grant for $55,000 for a chipping program. He stated half of the grant would be implemented to the west side of the County and the other half to Sierra Brooks.
Supervisor Adams said the other project, Wayman Dam pond is in the Pike area and would increase the size of the pond to three acre feet, which is about a million gallons of water. The Pike community has been limited to holding 10,000 gallons in a tank at the firehouse, so this increase to the pond would be incredible water storage for the area.
Schlefstein wanted to direct staff to look into cost analysis. Beals stated the two projects wouldn’t be done until spring or summer of next year, so didn’t think there was a rush. He felt they’d have opportunities to make the funds work.
BE ON ALERT – It was reported at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday that herds of deer are being seen on Highways 49 and 89 licking the road. Supervisor Peter Huebner stated he spoke with Caltrans and it has been spraying the road with what Sheriff Tim Standley called a kind of brine to help melt ice on the highways. Supervisor Lee Adams said in the 40 years he’s lived here he’s never seen the amount of deer on the highway as he has recently.
This topic is going to be discussed in more detail with Caltrans at the next Fish and Game Commission meeting in Downieville on November 24th to see what can be done.
the PNF seems to think that everyone who uses PNF comes through Plumas County not taking into consideration the Bassetts gateway into the PNF.
Beals said the last point was several thousand acres being pulled out of Jamison Canyon region. He stated the Forest Service is trying to take responsibility but it was clear that the decision was made in a Plumas County board meeting.
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION regarding Title III funding requests for Wayman Dam pond wildfire suppression project and Sierra Brooks defensible space project and possible direction to seek funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)– 2015-2016 State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fund Grant Program was held at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, November 17th in Loyalton. Supervisors Scott Schelfstein and Lee Adams led the discussion. Schlefstein talked with Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals and Auditor/Tax Collector Van Maddox on rules for this funding and what can be done. Maddox said the money is allowed for and this work qualifies for that, adding the work has to be tied within 200 feet of structures, buildings, or homes. Maddox stated the work seemed to be an appropriate use of the money. Schlefstein said the Sierra Brooks project is within the 200 foot limitation and funding will cover chipping and labor. Sierra County Fire Safe Chairman Dave Goicoechea said they’ve coordinated with SNC and fire safe and expect favorable receipt of grant applications to be submitted. Goicoechea stated work has been coordinated with Sierra Brooks residents. He added Department of Fish and Game wants $2,000 to review the plan (CEQA filing fee), but will do it to get work done in Sierra Brooks. He added the grants are going forward and he would be back at the next meeting to give a progress report. Supervisor Paul Roen said Sierra County was recently awarded an SRA grant for $55,000 for a chipping program. He stated half of the grant would be implemented to the west side of the County and the other half to Sierra Brooks.
Supervisor Adams said the other project, Wayman Dam pond is in the Pike area and would increase the size of the pond to three acre feet, which is about a million gallons of water. The Pike community has been limited to holding 10,000 gallons in a tank at the firehouse, so this increase to the pond would be incredible water storage for the area.
Schlefstein wanted to direct staff to look into cost analysis. Beals stated the two projects wouldn’t be done until spring or summer of next year, so didn’t think there was a rush. He felt they’d have opportunities to make the funds work.
BE ON ALERT – It was reported at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday that herds of deer are being seen on Highways 49 and 89 licking the road. Supervisor Peter Huebner stated he spoke with Caltrans and it has been spraying the road with what Sheriff Tim Standley called a kind of brine to help melt ice on the highways. Supervisor Lee Adams said in the 40 years he’s lived here he’s never seen the amount of deer on the highway as he has recently.
This topic is going to be discussed in more detail with Caltrans at the next Fish and Game Commission meeting in Downieville on November 24th to see what can be done.
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