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KERN RIVER VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL
Board of Directors and Stakeholders Meetings
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Those present: Ed Royce, Patrick G. Pontes, Gordon and
Christine Hancock, Tom Parkin, Gordon Ehmann, Bob Lechtreck, Tina
Terrell, Rick Larson, Scott Williams, Cindy Thill, Miriam Morrill,
Chris Ryan, Robin Wyatt-Little.
Ed Royce convened the meeting. Introductions were made.
MINUTES: Moved for approval – Gordon Hancock. 2nd
– Tom Parkin. Unanimous approval.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Christine reports an operating account
balance of $1725.21. Grant balances are: Bodfish Project
- $4411.00; Kennedy Meadows - $2943.00 and recently received check
for $70,500.00 which will be deposited immediately; State Farm -
$2289.16. Invoices for the Living with Wildfire
newspaper inserts have been received and will be paid.
Upcoming insurance premium will be paid. Moved for approval
– Robin Wyatt-Little. 2nd – Tom Parkin.
Unanimous approval.
Tina Terrell, Sequoia National Forest Supervisor, expressed her
strong support for Fire Safe Councils. She shared a recent
press release attesting to the success of this Council and others.
She also spoke to the importance of FSC and agency
collaboration/cooperation. Supervisors Terrell requested a one
page summary of the KRV FSC collaboration with the Forest Service
during the past eight years which she will utilize when requesting
grant funding for her Forest. Ed Royce will develop this.
Ed gave Supervisor Terrell and District Ranger Rick Larson as
overview of the KRV FSC, its’ Vision and Mission; Officers; Agency
Representatives; a brief description of our committees and a history
of grant projects here in the Kern River Valley.
GRANTS: Patrick reports the Kennedy Meadows Road Brushing
project goes well with .8 mile completed thus far and the work is
looking good. Ed Royce received a letter (5/29/08) from Tulare
County Resource Management Agency regarding the Kennedy Meadow Road
60’ easement. Tulare County has determined the fuel
reduction project to be an appropriate use of this Tulare
County right of way. Letter is on file. The Bodfish
Canyon fuel reduction project is nearing its’ beginning date with
the necessary archaeological/Tribal clearances completed and State
clearance received June 18th for the project. The 2009 grant
proposals approved are: Pala Ranches Shaded Fuel break;
Bodfish Canyon, Phase 11 and Piute Meadows Community Roadside
Brushing/Chipping Project. Patrick reports news from CAFSC
newsletter that BLM offers property owner’s fuels reduction
permits to those whose property shares a boundary with Bureau of
Land Management. (
www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/mat/NCNews0848_fuels_reduction_permits.html
) The width of the permitted fuels clearance will be
determined on a case-by-case basis depending on fuels present, slope
of terrain etc. The Forest Service is initiating a similar
permit process.
Tina Terrell mentioned a potential collaborative (FSC/FS/SNC) grant
project through the California Sierra Nevada conservancy, perhaps to
develop wildfire education efforts for the upper and lower Kern
River. To be researched.
FUNDRAISING: Letters were just received from the West and
Arkelian Foundations expressing regrets that our recent request for
education funding could not be granted at this time. Recent
donations received from Squirrel Valley Property Owners ($100.00)
and Mr. & Mrs. Fred Zullo ($100.00.)
CHIPPER DAYS: Tom Parkin reports that he attended the Squirrel
Valley Chipper Day as well as the Alta Sierra event. Both went
very well and Tom will share photos and data when the reports are
compiled. To date for 2008, five chipper events have been
completed. Tom sang the praises of Kern County Fire Department
Crew 87.
SPEAKER’S BUREAU: Upcoming FSC program will be September 18th,
Noon, at the South Fork Women’s Club.
BYLAWS: No report.
PUBLICITY: Robin reports that the Kern River Courier devoted
their May 23rd issue primarily to Wildfire Safety issues,
printing both articles Robin submitted
recently as well as other educational articles. They
also followed up with more “Homeowners’ Watch Outs” in their
May 30th issue. The Kern Valley Sun featured the
photo of Lloyd Smith, Debbie Santiago and Danielle Temple, team
leader for the Student Conservation Team serving in the Kern River
Valley. The Sun also featured an extensive article describing
the upcoming Bodfish Canyon fuels reduction project, Phase 1.
OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR LOCAL NEWSPAPERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE
KRV FIRE SAFE COUNCIL!
WEBSITE: Ed Royce reports the website is progressing nicely
with just a few minor tweaks yet to be completed. Ed has
requested once again that Tom and Robin review the Chipper Day and
Speaker’s Bureau links and offer suggestions to make them more
comprehensive. Ed also invites everyone to submit
suggestions/corrections specific to the site at ebroyce@psln.com.
EDUCATION: Ed, reporting for Lloyd tells us that the road
signs have been rotated. A rotation schedule is still in the
works.
OLD BUSINESS: Lloyd has invited Supervisor McQuiston to the
September 18th meeting. Lloyd has discussed
participation from Isabella Highlands POA with Jim Davis. We
should expect either Jim Wadley or Jim Rea to attend our meetings.
Lloyd also talked with Gordon Ehmann from Squirrel Valley and he
will be participating in our meetings.
Robin emailed Penny Lampkins regarding an Alta Sierra/Greenhorn POA
representative to the FSC. No word yet.
Lloyd was unable to present the FSC Certificate of Appreciation for
website development but will try again at the July KRVR meeting.
Lloyd submitted names, email addresses and telephone numbers of our
KRV FSC officers to the California FSC to update their master list.
NEW BUSINESS: No report.
ACTION ITEMS REVIEW:
· Summary of KRVFSC/FS
collaboration on grant projects. Ed
· Compilation of
recent chipper day events data. Tom
· Review/comment on
website. Tom, Robin, all.
· Rotation schedule
for road signs. Lloyd, Cindy
· Follow-up on
potential FSC volunteers. Robin & Lloyd.
· County agencies
participation. Lloyd
Adjourned: 9:45 AM
STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
Additional attendees: Danielle Temple, Adam Prell, Mimi
Jenkins, Doug Rock and Beth Munoz and Richard Grove.
Meeting convened at 9:56 AM.
Introductions were made.
Agenda will be abbreviated somewhat, reducing redundancy in
committee reports given during the Board Meeting.
AGENCY REPORTS:
Forest Service: Miriam Morrill, member of the FS fire
management team presented an overview/update of the current Clover
Fire. Pat Pontes inquired as to the smoke which was affecting
the Kennedy Meadows community. Scott and Miriam explained the
placement of a solar powered particulate monitor at the bridge at
Kennedy Meadows which transmits to the FS website and shows the
smoke patterns. The FS holds a conference call daily with the
San Joaquin Air Quality District. Ed expressed concerns that
the fire was too close to Kennedy Meadows and residents were
worried.
Chris Ryan distributed copies of the completed KRV Community
Wildfire Protection Plan (Feb. 2008) complete with maps for all
identified fuel reduction projects which were determined by the FSC/Agencies
Collaborative Group. Chris gave credit to Heidi Hosler for the
excellent mapping for this project and the FSC gives high praise to
Chris Ryan and Judy Forbes for their outstanding effort completing
this document. THANK YOU.
BLM:
Chris Ryan reports that a Remote Automatic Weather Station (RAWS)
has been installed at Chimney Peak. Chris also tells us that the BLM
fuels crew is working on removal of the dead trees in the Walker
Pass area per Lloyd Smith’s request. The RAWS Station data can be
viewed at http://www.met.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=TS762.
Patrick Pontes mentioned how well the “system” works when he
recently telephoned BLM personnel in Sacramento to obtain approval
(ASAP) for a Clam Shell brush remover for the Kennedy meadows road
brushing project. Patrick sent a photo (digital) and within an
hour or so received approval for use of this type of equipment.
KUDOS TO BLM, PATRICK and DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY!
KCFD:
Bob Lechtreck reports that the next KC FSC meeting will be June 25th.
Bob also reports that Ken Stevens is making great progress with the
KCFD Fire Information Boxes project. THANKS KEN!
The new ASV is here and in action. Bob is enthusiastic about
this “brush removal” equipment and feels certain it will be used
on the Bodfish Canyon project. Within the near future Bob
would like to provide a demonstration of this amazing machine for
the KRV public. Date to be determined. Bob will notify
the FSC and newspapers will be notified at that time.
Pre-project CEQA and Tribal studies have been completed and the
Bodfish Canyon project will begin very soon.
STAKEHOLDERS REPORTS:
Student Conservation Association Team leader DanielleTemple
introduced the SCA team. Danielle will be leaving for a job
opportunity. The new team leader will be Ashley Thrasher.
Specific projects are yet to be determined.
PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS:
Squirrel Valley: Gordon Ehmann, in attendance, will serve as
the liaison for SVPOA and the FSC. Gordon reports the POA is
researching road repair projects and possible grant funding for
paving.
Lake Isabella/Bodfish POA: Gordon Hancock reports that Bodfish
residents are anxiously awaiting the fuel reduction project
beginning.
Piute Meadows: Richard Grove is working on coordinating the
initial FSC information meeting regarding their road brushing grant
project. The license to enter process is being streamlined per
Richard, Ed, Patrick et al. Ed will develop a “lessons
learned” paper on the pre-project license to enter process.
Frontier Trail POA: Robin reports the FTHA POA chipper day
event was cancelled due to residents burning their brush earlier in
the year. Robin will attempt to coordinate a better date for a
chipper project in the future.
NEW TOPICS:
REMINDER: Patrick Pontes has developed a new sign-in sheet for
FSC participants. This form allows stakeholders to record
additional information such as hours, mileage etc. for his
“match” requirements on grant reports. People may also
email Patrick with information. patrickgpontes@yahoo.com
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At the June KRVR meeting, Richard Rowe submitted a proposal for a
Spring 2009 Event, LIVING GREEN AND SUSTAINABLY IN THE KRV. Event
dates are suggested for
March/April 2009. The mission of this “green festival”
would be “to help KRV residents consume responsibly to protect the
environment, conserve resources and enhance the quality of their
lives.”
There is a possibility that the KRV FSC may integrate participation
in this event to coincide with Wildfire Awareness Week 2009.
To be developed.
Robin shared the Nuui Cunni native plant list which identifies fire
safe plants.
This list should be integrated into our existing fire safe plant
list for the FSC website and for handouts.
REMINDER: Participants in the FSC KRV Collaborative Group need
to identify new projects for the 2010 grant cycle. The
Collaborative will meet in October. Scott Williams will
establish the date.
The Peddler’s Faire will be held September 9th and 20th.
Gordon and Christine Hancock will maintain a FSC information booth.
THANK YOU HANCOCKS!
REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS:
· Calendar &
Membership list updates – Robin
· Identify SCA
projects – Everyone
· Critique website
form for Chipper Days – Tom
· Critique website
form for Speaker’s Bureau – Robin
· Critique/update
general information on website – Everyone
· Install general
information hyperlink on website directed to Lloyd – Ed
· Develop better
plant list for website/handouts – Bob and everyone
· Organize chipper
day event data thus far – Tom
· Collaborative
needs to identify 2010 grant projects – Everyone
· Pre-project
“lessons learned” for license to enter – Ed
· Piute Meadows/FSC
meeting date/place – Richard
NEXT KRV FSC MEETING: Thursday, July 17th at
Supervisors McQuiston’s conference room, Lake Isabella.
Board Meeting: 8:30 – 9:30. Stakeholders Meeting: 9:30 to
11:30.
PLEASE BRING A GUEST(S)
We need more folks who are concerned about wild fire safety
issues.
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