DURING DEPARTMENT MANAGER’S REPORTS at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held through teleconference Tuesday, August 4th, Planning Director Tim Beals stated the long awaited completion of the grant guidelines for the recreation bond act was completed and felt the board should reopen discussions. Per capita funds of $450,000 is available to the county, adding it is similar to the Prop 40 grant where many Sierra County projects were completed.
Beals reported he is working with Sheriff Mike Fisher and Deputy Director of Transportation Bryan Davey to complete signs to try to put notice out that ATV’s, UTV’s, and OHV’s are prohibited on county roads. He said he doesn’t expect the 4 x 6 signs to last long, but said they will be going up in the next 30 days at Long Valley, Dog Valley, Smithneck, Stampede, Henness Pass and any other county road that becomes an issue. Fisher said he feels that every time they go out and do enforcement the 2nd or 3rd ATV they contact is a DUI and the Dog Valley side is absolutely being overrun. Supervisor Lee Adams felt this was a CHP issue and Fisher stated he has had communication with the CHP out of Quincy and they have been going out and doing enforcement. Beals stated there were also speed limit issues.
Beals talked about being overrun with solid waste on the westside. He said they have a contract with Intermountain Disposal for 38-39, cans and they are not even close to accommodating the need especially with restaurants now doing take out. He said they’ve had 30-40 bags just in Downieville over a weekend. Sharon stated she felt people would be seeking these rural areas for recreation for several years at least. She called this is our new reality and felt they needed to start planning for it. Beals didn’t know how they were going to deal with this, but looking to increase staff and their ability to respond.
Beals reported he is working with Sheriff Mike Fisher and Deputy Director of Transportation Bryan Davey to complete signs to try to put notice out that ATV’s, UTV’s, and OHV’s are prohibited on county roads. He said he doesn’t expect the 4 x 6 signs to last long, but said they will be going up in the next 30 days at Long Valley, Dog Valley, Smithneck, Stampede, Henness Pass and any other county road that becomes an issue. Fisher said he feels that every time they go out and do enforcement the 2nd or 3rd ATV they contact is a DUI and the Dog Valley side is absolutely being overrun. Supervisor Lee Adams felt this was a CHP issue and Fisher stated he has had communication with the CHP out of Quincy and they have been going out and doing enforcement. Beals stated there were also speed limit issues.
Beals talked about being overrun with solid waste on the westside. He said they have a contract with Intermountain Disposal for 38-39, cans and they are not even close to accommodating the need especially with restaurants now doing take out. He said they’ve had 30-40 bags just in Downieville over a weekend. Sharon stated she felt people would be seeking these rural areas for recreation for several years at least. She called this is our new reality and felt they needed to start planning for it. Beals didn’t know how they were going to deal with this, but looking to increase staff and their ability to respond.
