Over $350,000 worth of USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts were awarded to private landowners in Plumas and Sierra Counties in 2019 for fuel reduction / Forest Health projects.  Dan Martynn, District Conservationist for the Quincy Local Partnership Office, encourages any forest landowners who are interested in protecting their property and the community they live in from the threat of wildfire to contact his office and find out how they can sign up to receive similar funding.
EQIP is a voluntary program that reimburses landowners to hire a contractor or do work themselves on their own property according to an agreed to Plan developed between the NRCS and the applicant.  EQIP is a competitive program and projects compete for funding throughout the northern Sierra region.  Landowners who have never participated in USDA Programs before will need to work with the local NRCS office to establish Farm records before they can participate in EQIP.  The time line for projects to go through the Plan development and ranking process for selection generally takes 3 to 6 months.
To find out more about the USDA NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) you can visit their website at www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/ca/home/ or call Dan Martynn at 530-283-7511.  His office is located at the Plumas NF Supervisors Office in Quincy.
 

Murderers Benefit from Soft-on-Crime Policies, Victims are an Afterthought
 
California Democrats have a soft spot for dangerous criminals. From lowering the penalty for raping an unconscious person to supporting a program that allows violent mentally ill offenders to hang on to their guns, radicals in the Legislature are putting Californians at risk.
 
This time, though, they seem to have crossed a line.
 
By prohibiting prosecutors from charging 14- and 15-year-olds as adults, no matter how heinous their crimes, Democrats have angered prosecutors, offended journalists, and worst of all, caused even more pain for victims’ families.
 
In a recent edition of the Sacramento Bee, columnist Marcos Bretón told the story of Keymontae Lindsey, who unloaded a handgun into a car full of his high school peers, killing J.J. Clavo. Lindsey was 15 at the time of the shooting, so he’ll be released from prison at age 23.
 
Another sad scene came from Contra Costa County, where a prosecutor was so disturbed by the justice system’s treatment of 20-year-old murder victim Allie Sweitzer’s family, he felt compelled to apologize that they are being denied justice. Sweitzer’s killer, Vincent Lising-Campos received just a seven-year sentence because of his age.
 
Bretón summed it up best: “Regardless of the age of the killer, a sentence of a few years is a slap in the face to the people left devastated by their actions. [The Democrats behind this new policy] obviously didn’t care about that.”
 
We need sensible leadership to protect our communities and fight for families victimized by violent criminals.

 
SACRAMENTO - Today, Assemblymembers Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) and Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) issued the following statements in response to the failure of ACA 1, which would have weakened Prop. 13’s taxpayer protections by lowering the voter approval threshold for local tax increases from two-thirds to 55%:
 
“ACA 1 reinforces the false idea that every problem can be solved with more government spending,” said Kiley. “Today’s vote was a win for California taxpayers and families.”
 
“This was a victory for taxpayers struggling to afford life in California, but the fight isn’t over,” said Lackey. “The middle class is being driven out of our state because of the high cost of living. I’ll continue to oppose legislation like ACA 1 that will make the affordability crisis even worse.”
                                     

​CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL:
On August 8, 2019 at approximately 1422 hours, Jose Avelar Rivas, 40, of Portola was driving a 2007 Toyota northbound on Beckwourth Calpine Road (County Road A23) approaching Calpine Road.  Passengers included Rolando Orellan, 38 of Las Vegas, NV and Kenia Bautista, 43 of Portola and two juveniles of Portola, ages 13 and 4. The vehicle drifted onto the northbound shoulder at which point Rivas attempted to steer back onto the roadway. He overcorrected and lost control as the vehicle veered into the southbound lane and then swerved back across the northbound lane and onto the northbound shoulder. The vehicle collided with a fence and overturned, eventually coming to rest on its roof.
It does not appear that any occupants were utilizing proper restraints and multiple occupants were ejected during the collision. Two occupants were transported to Renown Medical Center by air ambulance and an additional two occupants were transported to Renown Medical Center by ground ambulance. The young female juvenile was medically evaluated at the scene and released to a family member who had responded to the scene.
Rivas as subsequently determined to be driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and arrested at the scene, but was released to medical personnel at Renown for medical care due to his known and suspected injuries.

CTC Allocates Funds to 47 SB 1 Projects to Replace or Improve 880 Lane Miles, 30 Bridges, 83 Culverts and More Than 470 Traffic Management System Devices
 
SACRAMENTO – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $1.1 billion for a total of 133 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) projects throughout California, including almost $994 million for 47 fix-it-first projects funded by Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
 
“This summer, motorists are seeing our crews hard at work repairing and improving our highway’s infrastructure,” said Acting Caltrans Director Bob Franzoia. “Since SB 1 was passed, Caltrans has made progress on strengthening our transportation system and this new allocation of nearly $1 billion of SB 1 funds will be used to continue to address the backlog of repairs and upgrades.”
 
The SB 1 funded projects will replace or improve 880 lane miles, 30 bridges, 474 congestion reducing devices, and repair 83 culverts to prevent flooding on highways.
 
Area projects allocated funds include:
 

• Replace Adin Maintenance Station Project in Lassen County: $16.5 million project will replace existing maintenance station along State Route 299 near the town of Adin in Lassen County with a new station to provide a modern and effective maintenance operations. The project was allocated almost $16.5 million.

 

• Road Safety & Worker Safety Improvements Project Along State Routes 3 and 299 in the Counties of Trinity and Shasta: $4.7 million project will enhance highway worker safety and improve safety for motorists by constructing Maintenance Vehicle Pullouts (MVPs), extend chain-on areas, install changeable message signs and pave areas along State Routes 3 and 299 at various locations in Trinity County, and SR-299 in Shasta County. The project was allocated almost $3.5 million.

 

• Road Safety Improvements Project Along State Route 70 in Plumas County: $3.1 million project will upgrade rock fence to reduce maintenance and highway worker exposure along State Route 70 at various locations from west of Butterfly Valley Road to west of Two Rivers Road in the town of Quincy, and SR-89 at various locations near the town of Greenville in Plumas County. The project was allocated $23,000.

 

• Traffic Safety Project on Interstate 5 in Siskiyou County: $7.1 million project will enhance traffic safety by improving the roadside clear recovery zone at various locations on Interstate 5 from the Siskiyou/ Shasta County line to the California/ Oregon State line. The project was allocated $200,000.

 
The CTC approved an allocation of $10.5 million in SB 1 funds for the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, which is dedicated to projects that will improve truck corridors, border access, the freight rail systems, the capacity and efficiency of ports, and highways to better handle and move freight.

More than $33.1 million of SB 1 funding was also allocated to the Local Partnership Program (LPP) to help match investments that local communities have made in their region through voter-approved transportation tax measures.
 
In addition, the CTC approved an allocation of almost $5.4 million in SB 1 funds for 16 locally administered Active Transportation Program (ATP) projects, which range from improving sidewalks and bicycle lanes to creating safer routes to school for children who ride their bicycles or walk to school.
 
SHOPP is the state highway system’s "fix-it-first" program that funds safety improvements, emergency repairs, highway preservation and operational highway upgrades. A significant portion of the funding for this program comes from SB 1.
 
Since SB 1 was signed into law April 2017, Caltrans has repaired or replaced 115 bridges and paved nearly 1,500 lane miles of the state highway system.
 
SB 1 invests approximately $5.4 billion per year to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California as well as strategically investing in transit. These funds are split equally between state and local projects and will allow Caltrans to fix more than 17,000 lane miles of pavement, 500 bridges and 55,000 culverts on the state highway system by 2027.
 
More information and updates on these and other projects can be found on Caltrans’ social media channels: http://www.dot.ca.gov/paffairs/social-media.html.
 
Caltrans is committed to conducting its business in a fully transparent manner and detailing its progress to the public. For complete details on SB 1, visit http://www.rebuildingca.ca.gov/.
 
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QUINCY, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges the public to take extra safety precautions as water flows will be higher through the weekend of August 24-25 for whitewater recreation in the Rock Creek Reach of the North Fork Feather River in Plumas County.
 
This portion of the river contains Class III, IV and V rapids, which are only appropriate for skilled paddlers, and not appropriate for tubing.
 
The Rock Creek Reach is the 8.3-mile portion of the North Fork of the Feather River in the Plumas National Forest between PG&E’s Rock Creek dam and the Rock Creek powerhouse near Storrie.
 
Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 24 PG&E flows will be increased to 1,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) until 3 p.m. Flows will then be gradually reduced to 900 cfs and held through Sunday, August 25 at 2 p.m. Afterward, flows will gradually decrease to the season normal of approximately 450 cfs.
 
The recreational flows are conducted in cooperation with the American Whitewater organization and the Rock Creek–Cresta Ecological Resource Committee and are usually held four weekends a year in summer. The remaining higher flows scheduled this year include the weekend of September 28-29.
 
PG&E offers the following water safety tips:
 

• Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.

 

• Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous. Guided trips for inexperienced paddlers are strongly recommended.

 

• Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited. Stay out of canals and flumes, which are very dangerous due to slippery sides, sub-surface obstacles, fast moving water, and transitions to full tunnels and pipes. For more water safety tips visit:  www.pge.com/hydrosafety

 
 
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and pge.com/news.
 
 
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SUSANVILLE, Calif., August 13, 2019 – The Lassen National Forest welcomes incoming Forest Supervisor Deb Bumpus, who reported for duty on August 5. Prior to coming to the Lassen, Deb served as Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona.  
She began her Forest Service career on the Plumas National Forest as a Zone Wildlife Biologist. She has also held the following positions: Threatened and Endangered Species Biologist, Sawtooth National Recreation Area; National Fire Plan Consultation Team Lead, Regions 1,4,6; Assistant Regional Program Manager for Threatened and Endangered Species, Region 4; Ecosystem Staff Officer, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest; and District Ranger, Beckwourth Ranger District, Plumas National Forest.
“We look forward to having Deb Bumpus lead the Lassen National Forest in collaboration with our partners, stakeholders and the local communities,” said Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service.  “Improving forest conditions are top priorities for the Lassen National Forest and the entire USDA Forest Service.  Deb’s commitment to these priorities will enrich the work on the Lassen National Forest and the benefits this work provide to the public and local communities.” 
Deb also served as Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Plumas National Forest, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Gila National Forest, and Acting Executive Officer for the Four Forest Restoration Initiative in Northern Arizona. “I am truly excited about returning to the northern Sierras, an area I have spent much time. I am looking forward to engaging with our partners and working together to achieve the results we all want across the forest landscape,” said Deb Bumpus, Forest Supervisor, Lassen N.F. 
Deb was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, where she attended Tennessee Tech University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management. She received her master’s degree in Forest Recreation Management from Utah State University. Deb was captain of her college’s nationally-ranked women’s basketball team and served as a college basketball and tennis coach. In her spare time, Deb enjoys fishing, golfing, hiking, and volunteering opportunities.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 

.............................................................................................................................................. INTRODUCTION
The following is a labor market and industry/sector profile for Sierra County, California. This is an update to a prior version of the County Labor Market Profiles that were completed in the summer of 2017, which were completed using 2016 labor market data.
The quantitative data for the profile includes a geographic overview, demographic
and labor force characteristics, industry analysis, occupation analysis, and labor
force data. For the profile, the project team collected and analyzed data from
Economic Modeling Specialists Int’l. (EMSI), U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Though 2019 is the current calendar year, 2018 labor market data are utilized as these represent the latest full calendar year of data available from federal statistical agencies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The following are some of the most pertinent information and statistics uncovered in the process of creating this report.
Social and Demographic Highlights

• Population growth in Sierra County significantly trails rates for California and the United States. Over the prior ten years, population decreased by 11% for Sierra County while population increased by 9% for the state and 8% for the nation.
• Sierra County has experienced a decline in all age cohorts with the exception of those 65 years and older since 2008. Over the next ten years, the pace of the decline will not be as fast as the last ten years, but it will continue.
• The percentage of individuals in Sierra County with some college is higher than those in the NoRTEC region, California, and U.S., but trails the NoRTEC region in those with an Associate’s degree.
• Sierra County experiences a net loss of talent due to out-commuting. Though 200 individuals both live and work in the County, 645 live in the County and work elsewhere.
• The median household income in Sierra County is $44,190. The poverty rate, 12.3% is the second lowest of all counties in the NoRTEC region as is the percentage of individuals enrolled in CalFresh benefits (8.5%).
• As of December 2018, there were 1,243 individuals in the Sierra County labor force, of which 70 were unemployed.
• Since the 2016 version of this report was released, the Sierra County economy has contracted at an average annual rate of 1.6%. The sectors Construction, and Government had the largest decreases. These sectors lost a combined 37 jobs, over 85% of the county’s net job loss. Meanwhile, the sectors of Health Care & Social Assistance; and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services saw the largest increases over the past two years.

2
• Between 2016 and 2018, Sierra County’s population remained constant. Although population remained stable, certain population groups expanded while others contracted. The highest growth age groups included those ages 70 to 74 years, and those age 50 to 54 years saw the largest decrease. The highest growth race/ethnicity group was White Hispanics, while White, Non- Hispanics saw the largest decrease.
Industry & Occupation Highlights

• Sierra County’s largest industry sectors include Government; Accommodation and Food Services; Construction; and Retail Trade. Government has more jobs than the next six sectors combined.
• Industries adding the most jobs in Sierra County over the last five years include Accommodation and Food Services (21 jobs); Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services (11 jobs); and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (5 jobs).
• Individual (4-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code) industries with strong growth prospects for the county include: Individual and Family Services (17 jobs); Services to Buildings and Dwellings (9 jobs); and Traveler Accommodation (5 jobs).
• As Sierra County’s population 65 years and over continue to grow, the number of jobs in healthcare-related industries to serve their needs is limited. This may have an impact on the county’s quality of life as the population continues to age and lifesaving resources become limited.