A FOREST SERVICE UPDATE was given by Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on December 19th. He stated prescribed burning has accomplished 304 acres east of Little Truckee Summit and the Calpine area. Youngblood added the air quality has been pretty poor, and needed storms to allow them to burn more.
Youngblood stated the Christmas Tree Program sold out within 7-8 days and said they plan to increase what they have for sale next year.
He stated several employees were in southern California assisting with fires.
Youngblood said the recreational grooming program has not commenced yet, adding we are 72% of average right now.
He concluded by stating the Forest Service was to have a meeting with Nevada Irrigation District who manages Jackson Meadows campgrounds. He said last year’s storm damage didn’t allow them to open the campgrounds for the summer season. Youngblood stated Nevada Irrigation District wants to increase the campground fees up $6, but expressed the Forest Service does not support it.
A RESOLUTION authorizing County Director of Transportation to file appropriate and required paperwork with FEMA and OES for restoration of flood damage to the Division Dam on Coldstream at Sierraville was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Loyalton. Sierra County Director of Transportation Tim Beals stated it was a form resolution required if they are to file any claims for restoration and reimbursement from last year’s storm damage. He said it would authorize them to proceed with claims. The resolution was passed unanimously.
With regard to development of a maintenance agreement between the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and Sierra Valley Water Company for the Sierraville Division Dam on Coldstream, Beals stated there was significant damage done on the Division Dam, which splits the main channel. He said the damage was so significant the dam needed to be entirely reconstructed, adding if not reconstructed it poses a serious flooding impact to Sierraville. Beals assumed this would be a “slam dunk” project under the emergency watershed program (EWP), but received a letter stating it wasn’t a good project for EWP. He said they were able to convince FEMA and enter the process late. Beals was anticipating FEMA would accept responsibility for funding the reconstruction of the Division Dam. Beals said the County’s interest is in flood protection, and the Sierra Valley Water Company’s interest is in irrigation water so they share a common interest on the same structure. He stated in the past the two entities have had verbal agreements, but are now looking for a joint maintenance agreement, adding the rules have changed with FEMA and will need more accountability and responsibility for the paperwork. He said routine maintenance would be shifted to the water company, but with flood protection the role changes. From the audience, Rick Maddalena said the first two floods did a lot of damage to the right hand side through downtown Sierraville. He stated if it wasn’t for Al Pombo going in with his excavator and cleaning out the left side it would have been much worse, adding this was a serious thing for Sierraville. Motion approved unanimously for direction to staff.
A REPORT of the special committee meeting on the General Plan completion conducted on December 12th was given by Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on December 19th. He stated the special committee consisting of Supervisors Paul Roen and Peter Huebner met on December 12th in Truckee to go over the status of the work that had been accomplished and what still needs to be done. The two supervisors met with Jim Harnish who is under contract to complete the General Plan. The original agreement was done in 2012 and Beals said Harnish had not increased the hourly charge. Now their contract needs to be renewed and an increase in fees is to be expected. He stated during the meeting they reviewed a revised scope and plan for it to be completed in the next 12-18 months. Beals continued the General Plan work would include the four major changes to State law since 2012: Policies regarding environmental justice, special attention to disadvantaged communities and housing conditions, new requirements with fire, and the sixth cycle of the housing unit will come about during this work. He said recommendations coming from the meeting were to bring the matter back to the Board in January for an extension of the existing contract for two years. He said $75,000 remains in the county budget, and there will be an appropriation request of $45,000 -$50,000 to complete the work. Beals stated one issue that will affect work was the resignation of a Planner and picking up their workload. He added Planner Brandon Pangman will take over the General Plan task and everything else will take a second priority to complete the work. Beals said they are going to hire another planner, but training will take at least a year. Supervisor Huebner was impressed with Pangman’s involvement and being up to speed. He said the work will get done and was a priority for him. Huebner said he was also very impressed with the Consultant and his commitment. Supervisor Roen stated the full scope of work would come back in January. Beals wanted to make it understood that the 2012 Resolution, which established 45 amendments to the General Plan, 42 of those are editorial corrections to the plan, adding it is not a complete revision of the plan.
Youngblood stated the Christmas Tree Program sold out within 7-8 days and said they plan to increase what they have for sale next year.
He stated several employees were in southern California assisting with fires.
Youngblood said the recreational grooming program has not commenced yet, adding we are 72% of average right now.
He concluded by stating the Forest Service was to have a meeting with Nevada Irrigation District who manages Jackson Meadows campgrounds. He said last year’s storm damage didn’t allow them to open the campgrounds for the summer season. Youngblood stated Nevada Irrigation District wants to increase the campground fees up $6, but expressed the Forest Service does not support it.
A RESOLUTION authorizing County Director of Transportation to file appropriate and required paperwork with FEMA and OES for restoration of flood damage to the Division Dam on Coldstream at Sierraville was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Loyalton. Sierra County Director of Transportation Tim Beals stated it was a form resolution required if they are to file any claims for restoration and reimbursement from last year’s storm damage. He said it would authorize them to proceed with claims. The resolution was passed unanimously.
With regard to development of a maintenance agreement between the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and Sierra Valley Water Company for the Sierraville Division Dam on Coldstream, Beals stated there was significant damage done on the Division Dam, which splits the main channel. He said the damage was so significant the dam needed to be entirely reconstructed, adding if not reconstructed it poses a serious flooding impact to Sierraville. Beals assumed this would be a “slam dunk” project under the emergency watershed program (EWP), but received a letter stating it wasn’t a good project for EWP. He said they were able to convince FEMA and enter the process late. Beals was anticipating FEMA would accept responsibility for funding the reconstruction of the Division Dam. Beals said the County’s interest is in flood protection, and the Sierra Valley Water Company’s interest is in irrigation water so they share a common interest on the same structure. He stated in the past the two entities have had verbal agreements, but are now looking for a joint maintenance agreement, adding the rules have changed with FEMA and will need more accountability and responsibility for the paperwork. He said routine maintenance would be shifted to the water company, but with flood protection the role changes. From the audience, Rick Maddalena said the first two floods did a lot of damage to the right hand side through downtown Sierraville. He stated if it wasn’t for Al Pombo going in with his excavator and cleaning out the left side it would have been much worse, adding this was a serious thing for Sierraville. Motion approved unanimously for direction to staff.
A REPORT of the special committee meeting on the General Plan completion conducted on December 12th was given by Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on December 19th. He stated the special committee consisting of Supervisors Paul Roen and Peter Huebner met on December 12th in Truckee to go over the status of the work that had been accomplished and what still needs to be done. The two supervisors met with Jim Harnish who is under contract to complete the General Plan. The original agreement was done in 2012 and Beals said Harnish had not increased the hourly charge. Now their contract needs to be renewed and an increase in fees is to be expected. He stated during the meeting they reviewed a revised scope and plan for it to be completed in the next 12-18 months. Beals continued the General Plan work would include the four major changes to State law since 2012: Policies regarding environmental justice, special attention to disadvantaged communities and housing conditions, new requirements with fire, and the sixth cycle of the housing unit will come about during this work. He said recommendations coming from the meeting were to bring the matter back to the Board in January for an extension of the existing contract for two years. He said $75,000 remains in the county budget, and there will be an appropriation request of $45,000 -$50,000 to complete the work. Beals stated one issue that will affect work was the resignation of a Planner and picking up their workload. He added Planner Brandon Pangman will take over the General Plan task and everything else will take a second priority to complete the work. Beals said they are going to hire another planner, but training will take at least a year. Supervisor Huebner was impressed with Pangman’s involvement and being up to speed. He said the work will get done and was a priority for him. Huebner said he was also very impressed with the Consultant and his commitment. Supervisor Roen stated the full scope of work would come back in January. Beals wanted to make it understood that the 2012 Resolution, which established 45 amendments to the General Plan, 42 of those are editorial corrections to the plan, adding it is not a complete revision of the plan.
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