THE SMITHNECK ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on August 5th. Public Works Director Bryan Davey reported the project has been the number one priority for the Transportation Commission for several years. It is currently having issues with the environmental certification causing additional cost and time. Additionally, the engineer’s estimate which was developed approximately 10 years ago is grossly under budget. They are looking at scaling the project back to lower the environmental hoops and cost by proposing to not make any changes in the function of the roadway which would eliminate the bike path. The Commission approved applying unobligated funds from STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program) but there would be a match funding of 11.47% and would increase the amount of funding needed from the County by $200,000, for a total of $600,000. The County allocated $300,000 from COVID funding. Davey figured the total to be $439,000 after they’d spent over $100,000 on the design process.
Originally the road rehabilitation was to be from Hwy 49 to the Rotary Park, now due to cost which Davey stated would be $12 million with the bike path, it may be done in phases without the bike path. Davey felt Antelope Road to Bear Valley would be highest priority and then from Antelope Road to as close to Hwy 49 as they can get. He stated he was still going to design the full project and put it out to bid. Supervisor Sharon Dryden was disappointed to have to remove the bike path they worked really hard for, but said they need to be practical and the road is the priority. Supervisor Roen suggested they start from Hwy 49 and go up Smithneck until they run out of money. He stated the match is only required as the project is implemented and knew of plans on a company putting a batch plant in Beckwourth where the County might benefit from having product closer. Davey added the first step is needing the environmental certification completed before they can complete the design work and Caltrans is estimating at least a seven-month delay in work starting. The Board committed unanimously to match the STIP funding at 11.47%.
MEET Dr. Mike Hatfield, PsyD, a Performance Psychology Consultant, who specializes in mental performance. Mike is a former Marine who played collegiate soccer and ran track. A suicide in the family prompted a shift from NYC sales to Psychology, which led to a pursuit of “Happyness” as a Performance Skill focused on anxiety reduction and mental fitness. He moved to Plumas County in 2016 where he coached soccer and taught Psychology at Feather River College.
Mike currently lives in Clio and travels as a consultant where he has over 25 years of experience working with agencies, special operations, firefighters, border patrol and others in high stress jobs to help them apply life skills that will lead to a happier life. He teaches preven-tion and recovery skills, so the job doesn’t go home.
He states, “Stress does not discriminate. It hits us all.” Many cope with stress through alcohol and drugs.
Mike says 1% changes can make a significant difference. He teaches on how to breathe with diaphragmatic breathing and works with strength and conditioning coaches, therapists and others for a combined holistic approach.
One of his most popular classes is Battery Management where he helps students understand six core elements: Breath Work, Sleep Enhancement, Physical Conditioning, Mental Conditioning, Nutrition/Hydration, and Connection with God and those in our lives. Mike states if you are missing any of these core elements, you aren’t running at full capacity.
He wants to help as many people as possible and plans to do local small groups and individual sessions. Mike’s end goal is to hold retreats with trail and campfire therapy as the great outdoors is designed to promote a peaceful and welcoming environment that supports anxiety reduction and mental fitness.
As a survivor of ‘Family’ court, he has become an advocate for parents’ rights and a lifelong learner, always seeking to enhance his mental strength.
Mike wants people to know, he’s been in the dark places and knows the way out; not because he has taught it, but because he has lived it.
For more information call 360-688-9657 or visit sportspsychmike.com.
A PRESENTATION on the Salmon and Packer Creek Aspen Restoration Project was given by Anne Marie Holt, Forest Conservation Project Manager, with the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) to the Sierra County Board of Supervisors at its meeting August 5th. This Board had provided a letter of support for SYRCL’s grant application for this project in January 2025 which was awarded funding through the Wildlife Conservation Board. Holt gave an overview of the project which is a collaboration between Tahoe National Forest and SYRCL. The project is located in the Lost Sierra along Packer Lake Road on public land managed by the US Forest Service. Goals are aspen restoration by conifer thinning and removal, general conifer thinning for forest health, fuels management through pile preparation and select installation of beaver dam analogs for meadow edge habitat.
Pending environmental compliance completion, work is proposed to begin September 2025 and continue September – October 2026.
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (COLAs) for Sierra County Mid-Management employees and Department Managers was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on August 5th. Supervisor Paul Roen said the Finance Committee had lengthy conversations and found enough money to support the concept. Board Chair Lee Adams stated the gap keeps getting bigger and bigger and felt at some point they needed to fix the issue. The idea is to be fair to everybody, but also what the county can afford. The Board unanimously approved a 5% average base rate raise for Mid-Managers and 4% average base rate raise for Department Managers. This increase only applies to this fiscal year. Supervisor Sharon Dryden wanted it stated that a lot of other counties have raised supervisors’ salaries but their intention is to be fair to staff.
EQUIPMENT from the former Sierra County Wilderness Program was declared surplus during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting August 5th. A minimum bid of $100 for the group of inventory which includes (6) kayaks, (5) paddles, and (1) kayak trailer. Public Works Director Bryan Davey stated they have an auction site they use, govdeals.com. If interested on bidding, the items will be listed there soon.
A RESOLUTION OF INTENT to allocate Title III Funds for Sierra County Fire Safe and Watershed Council to assist communities in an amount not to exceed $74,521.01 was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on August 5th. Rodd Rummel Executive Director for the Fire Safe Council explained they were asking for additional funding for the green waste program. He stated each community is different and the trailer program wasn’t viable for every community. The extra funds will broaden work in helping residents help themselves and will create more defensible space with chipping services and other approaches for removal of flammable vegetation from communities in Sierra County.
Public Works Director Bryan Davey whole-heartedly approved of the extra funding, stating green waste was a huge impact to the solid waste system and currently Sierra City’s Transfer Station is 90% full and will be shutting down the acceptance of green waste until they can get back into burning. He was excited to hear they are working to get better solutions out there. Supervisor Paul Roen stated they are looking for a grant to try and secure a horizontal grinder to utilize throughout the county. Board Chair Lee Adams felt this was a good use of the Title III funding.
A LARGE GROUP of Sierra Valley ranchers gathered Monday, August 11th at the historic Sierraville School House for the first in a series of “Ranching with Predators” sessions, aimed at addressing the escalating impacts of gray wolves on local livestock operations.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) requires rancher education before moving forward with next steps, so a representative from each ranching operation was encouraged to attend. The session brought together local law enforcement, agricultural advisors, and ranchers to strategize next steps amid mounting depredation incidents attributed to wolves in the region.
Sheriff: "Document, Document, Document"
Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher, a leading voice in the discussion, emphasized the importance of documentation in seeking future policy changes.
“There are two or three collared wolves that GPS data places at every depredation site,” said Fisher. Documentation would give sheriffs the ability to push the issue to remove problem wolves.
Fisher said he has been in active dialogue with agencies including CDFW, USDA, and fellow sheriffs statewide. He recently met with CDFW Director Chuck Bonham, who reinforced the importance of training sessions if any future lethal removal of problem wolves is to be considered.
Fisher noted that the issue had the collective support of all 58 sheriffs across California and added he hoped to meet with Governor Gavin Newsom in the coming weeks to present documentation and advocate for change.
Ranchers Seek Legal Advice Amid Pressure
Rick Roberti, California Cattlemen’s Association President and local rancher, voiced concerns about the political strength of opposing animal rights groups.
“We’re up against powerful people,” Roberti said. These groups have two million members and unlimited resources Roberti and fellow ranchers are currently seeking legal advice to figure out the best path forward.
Tracking Kills and Carcass Management
UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor Tracy Schohr encouraged ranchers to submit all depredation reports, estimating about 40 confirmed kills so far in the area. She recommended the use of time-stamp photo apps to ensure data integrity.
Without complete reporting, Schohr said, the true extent of the issue is difficult to demonstrate to policymakers
The session also addressed livestock carcass removal protocols, including requirements for burial 4–6 feet deep on the same property where the death occurred. Fisher proposed the idea of a county-run disposal site, while the Reno Rendering Facility remains a winter option—albeit at a cost of at least $250 per animal.
Ranch Plan and Deterrents
Fisher introduced a Ranch Plan questionnaire, asking ranchers about their use of deterrents such as fladgery (flag fencing), guardian dogs or donkeys, daily patrols, and other non-lethal techniques like lights or sound devices.
He urged ranchers to maintain logs of wolf activity, such as tracks and scat, to demonstrate vigilance and bolster future claims. Compensation from the state, he noted, currently takes six to eight months to process.
Exploring Drones for Ranch Monitoring
The meeting also explored the use of drones as a ranch monitoring tool. Fisher explained that, while they can't yet be used for hazing wolves, drones are valuable for surveillance and livestock tracking—especially in hard-to-reach terrain.
“You can see ditches and depressions from the air that you can't from quads or horseback,” said Fisher.
Preserving Evidence and Building Support
In the event of a depredation, Fisher urged ranchers to immediately contact the sheriff’s office and preserve the scene until an investigation can be conducted. He also reiterated that local wardens are allies in the effort.
“They are honest, trustworthy people,” he said, a sentiment echoed by Sierra County Supervisor and rancher Paul Roen.
Public Safety
Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden was appreciative of the meeting and hoped these sessions bring about change, adding it’s not just a ranching issue, it’s a community issue. Her concern was where will the wolves go when cattle leave the valley this fall and felt public safety needed to be reflected.
Fisher closed the meeting with a promise to continue to do everything he can.
Nichole Johnson, Editor
Sierra Booster Newspaper
[email protected]
(530) 277-0891
Originally the road rehabilitation was to be from Hwy 49 to the Rotary Park, now due to cost which Davey stated would be $12 million with the bike path, it may be done in phases without the bike path. Davey felt Antelope Road to Bear Valley would be highest priority and then from Antelope Road to as close to Hwy 49 as they can get. He stated he was still going to design the full project and put it out to bid. Supervisor Sharon Dryden was disappointed to have to remove the bike path they worked really hard for, but said they need to be practical and the road is the priority. Supervisor Roen suggested they start from Hwy 49 and go up Smithneck until they run out of money. He stated the match is only required as the project is implemented and knew of plans on a company putting a batch plant in Beckwourth where the County might benefit from having product closer. Davey added the first step is needing the environmental certification completed before they can complete the design work and Caltrans is estimating at least a seven-month delay in work starting. The Board committed unanimously to match the STIP funding at 11.47%.
MEET Dr. Mike Hatfield, PsyD, a Performance Psychology Consultant, who specializes in mental performance. Mike is a former Marine who played collegiate soccer and ran track. A suicide in the family prompted a shift from NYC sales to Psychology, which led to a pursuit of “Happyness” as a Performance Skill focused on anxiety reduction and mental fitness. He moved to Plumas County in 2016 where he coached soccer and taught Psychology at Feather River College.
Mike currently lives in Clio and travels as a consultant where he has over 25 years of experience working with agencies, special operations, firefighters, border patrol and others in high stress jobs to help them apply life skills that will lead to a happier life. He teaches preven-tion and recovery skills, so the job doesn’t go home.
He states, “Stress does not discriminate. It hits us all.” Many cope with stress through alcohol and drugs.
Mike says 1% changes can make a significant difference. He teaches on how to breathe with diaphragmatic breathing and works with strength and conditioning coaches, therapists and others for a combined holistic approach.
One of his most popular classes is Battery Management where he helps students understand six core elements: Breath Work, Sleep Enhancement, Physical Conditioning, Mental Conditioning, Nutrition/Hydration, and Connection with God and those in our lives. Mike states if you are missing any of these core elements, you aren’t running at full capacity.
He wants to help as many people as possible and plans to do local small groups and individual sessions. Mike’s end goal is to hold retreats with trail and campfire therapy as the great outdoors is designed to promote a peaceful and welcoming environment that supports anxiety reduction and mental fitness.
As a survivor of ‘Family’ court, he has become an advocate for parents’ rights and a lifelong learner, always seeking to enhance his mental strength.
Mike wants people to know, he’s been in the dark places and knows the way out; not because he has taught it, but because he has lived it.
For more information call 360-688-9657 or visit sportspsychmike.com.
A PRESENTATION on the Salmon and Packer Creek Aspen Restoration Project was given by Anne Marie Holt, Forest Conservation Project Manager, with the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) to the Sierra County Board of Supervisors at its meeting August 5th. This Board had provided a letter of support for SYRCL’s grant application for this project in January 2025 which was awarded funding through the Wildlife Conservation Board. Holt gave an overview of the project which is a collaboration between Tahoe National Forest and SYRCL. The project is located in the Lost Sierra along Packer Lake Road on public land managed by the US Forest Service. Goals are aspen restoration by conifer thinning and removal, general conifer thinning for forest health, fuels management through pile preparation and select installation of beaver dam analogs for meadow edge habitat.
Pending environmental compliance completion, work is proposed to begin September 2025 and continue September – October 2026.
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS (COLAs) for Sierra County Mid-Management employees and Department Managers was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on August 5th. Supervisor Paul Roen said the Finance Committee had lengthy conversations and found enough money to support the concept. Board Chair Lee Adams stated the gap keeps getting bigger and bigger and felt at some point they needed to fix the issue. The idea is to be fair to everybody, but also what the county can afford. The Board unanimously approved a 5% average base rate raise for Mid-Managers and 4% average base rate raise for Department Managers. This increase only applies to this fiscal year. Supervisor Sharon Dryden wanted it stated that a lot of other counties have raised supervisors’ salaries but their intention is to be fair to staff.
EQUIPMENT from the former Sierra County Wilderness Program was declared surplus during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting August 5th. A minimum bid of $100 for the group of inventory which includes (6) kayaks, (5) paddles, and (1) kayak trailer. Public Works Director Bryan Davey stated they have an auction site they use, govdeals.com. If interested on bidding, the items will be listed there soon.
A RESOLUTION OF INTENT to allocate Title III Funds for Sierra County Fire Safe and Watershed Council to assist communities in an amount not to exceed $74,521.01 was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on August 5th. Rodd Rummel Executive Director for the Fire Safe Council explained they were asking for additional funding for the green waste program. He stated each community is different and the trailer program wasn’t viable for every community. The extra funds will broaden work in helping residents help themselves and will create more defensible space with chipping services and other approaches for removal of flammable vegetation from communities in Sierra County.
Public Works Director Bryan Davey whole-heartedly approved of the extra funding, stating green waste was a huge impact to the solid waste system and currently Sierra City’s Transfer Station is 90% full and will be shutting down the acceptance of green waste until they can get back into burning. He was excited to hear they are working to get better solutions out there. Supervisor Paul Roen stated they are looking for a grant to try and secure a horizontal grinder to utilize throughout the county. Board Chair Lee Adams felt this was a good use of the Title III funding.
A LARGE GROUP of Sierra Valley ranchers gathered Monday, August 11th at the historic Sierraville School House for the first in a series of “Ranching with Predators” sessions, aimed at addressing the escalating impacts of gray wolves on local livestock operations.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) requires rancher education before moving forward with next steps, so a representative from each ranching operation was encouraged to attend. The session brought together local law enforcement, agricultural advisors, and ranchers to strategize next steps amid mounting depredation incidents attributed to wolves in the region.
Sheriff: "Document, Document, Document"
Sierra County Sheriff Mike Fisher, a leading voice in the discussion, emphasized the importance of documentation in seeking future policy changes.
“There are two or three collared wolves that GPS data places at every depredation site,” said Fisher. Documentation would give sheriffs the ability to push the issue to remove problem wolves.
Fisher said he has been in active dialogue with agencies including CDFW, USDA, and fellow sheriffs statewide. He recently met with CDFW Director Chuck Bonham, who reinforced the importance of training sessions if any future lethal removal of problem wolves is to be considered.
Fisher noted that the issue had the collective support of all 58 sheriffs across California and added he hoped to meet with Governor Gavin Newsom in the coming weeks to present documentation and advocate for change.
Ranchers Seek Legal Advice Amid Pressure
Rick Roberti, California Cattlemen’s Association President and local rancher, voiced concerns about the political strength of opposing animal rights groups.
“We’re up against powerful people,” Roberti said. These groups have two million members and unlimited resources Roberti and fellow ranchers are currently seeking legal advice to figure out the best path forward.
Tracking Kills and Carcass Management
UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor Tracy Schohr encouraged ranchers to submit all depredation reports, estimating about 40 confirmed kills so far in the area. She recommended the use of time-stamp photo apps to ensure data integrity.
Without complete reporting, Schohr said, the true extent of the issue is difficult to demonstrate to policymakers
The session also addressed livestock carcass removal protocols, including requirements for burial 4–6 feet deep on the same property where the death occurred. Fisher proposed the idea of a county-run disposal site, while the Reno Rendering Facility remains a winter option—albeit at a cost of at least $250 per animal.
Ranch Plan and Deterrents
Fisher introduced a Ranch Plan questionnaire, asking ranchers about their use of deterrents such as fladgery (flag fencing), guardian dogs or donkeys, daily patrols, and other non-lethal techniques like lights or sound devices.
He urged ranchers to maintain logs of wolf activity, such as tracks and scat, to demonstrate vigilance and bolster future claims. Compensation from the state, he noted, currently takes six to eight months to process.
Exploring Drones for Ranch Monitoring
The meeting also explored the use of drones as a ranch monitoring tool. Fisher explained that, while they can't yet be used for hazing wolves, drones are valuable for surveillance and livestock tracking—especially in hard-to-reach terrain.
“You can see ditches and depressions from the air that you can't from quads or horseback,” said Fisher.
Preserving Evidence and Building Support
In the event of a depredation, Fisher urged ranchers to immediately contact the sheriff’s office and preserve the scene until an investigation can be conducted. He also reiterated that local wardens are allies in the effort.
“They are honest, trustworthy people,” he said, a sentiment echoed by Sierra County Supervisor and rancher Paul Roen.
Public Safety
Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden was appreciative of the meeting and hoped these sessions bring about change, adding it’s not just a ranching issue, it’s a community issue. Her concern was where will the wolves go when cattle leave the valley this fall and felt public safety needed to be reflected.
Fisher closed the meeting with a promise to continue to do everything he can.
Nichole Johnson, Editor
Sierra Booster Newspaper
[email protected]
(530) 277-0891
