______
Minutes –March 28, 2016
ITEM NO.
1.002.00
2.01 /
Callto order–Chico Public Works’ Facility, 44 Bellarmine Ct. Chico
Pledge of allegiance to the Flag of the United States of AmericaRoll Call – Members: Jim Shary, Vance Severin, Teri Faulkner, Peggy Moak, Trish Puterbaugh
Alternates: Pete Moak (voting), Lindsay Wood, Bob Gage, Nick Repanich (Charlotte Ann Hilgeman out-medical)
Guests: John Gulserian (Butte County OEM), Laura Page (Congressman La Malfa’s office), Clay Davis (Plumas NF), Jason Vermillion (Plumas NF), Natalye Carter (BEC), Kevin Wright, Ray Sousa (SAC), Thad Walker (Chico VELO), Tom Kelly (BCFSC), Pete Sundahl (Forester)
______
3.003.01
4.00
4.01
4.02
4.03 / Consent Agenda
Minutes of 2-22-16were reviewed and approved. M –Vance Severin, 2ndPete Moak, Motion Approved 5-0
AgendaSelf-Introduction of Forest Advisory Committee Members, Alternates and Public
John Gulserian, Emergency Services Officer for Butte County, provided an overview of current and past efforts to develop a workable plan for potential hazmat situations occurring in the Feather River Canyon, focusing on train shipments that come through the canyon by rail. John says shipments of crude oil havedecreased, and the focus has shifted to include a top 25 hazardous materials. This has been an area of focus for several years, with complications due to competing priorities, i.e. wildfire incidents, lack of funding, and due to the complexities of access and communications in the Feather River Canyon. Butte County is working closely with DWR, and with Plumas and other counties on this project, and John has been working to build relationships with the Railroad and other entities that would be called upon to remedy a hazmat situation. The FAC members expressed high levels of concern about the likelihood of an incident, and asked a number of logistical questions, as well as asking about alternatives such as re-routing.
Oil Spill Response Plan in Feather River: Lindsay Wood and FAC members discussed watershed concerns about shipment by rail of hazmat through the Feather River Canyon.
Motion: FAC to write letter of concern to John Gulserian to provide information that might be helpful in Butte’s efforts to develop an effective logistical and environmental plan for potential hazmat disasters in the Feather River Canyon.Letter to be drafted by Lindsay Wood, Vance Severin, Trish Puterbaugh, and circulated to FAC for review. (Trish Puterbaugh), 2nd (Teri Faulkner)
Approved: 5-0 vote
4.04 / Clay Davis, Plumas NF NEPA Planner, provided an update on the plans for the Forbestown Community Protection and Fuels Reduction Project, with a focus on the merits of Fall/Spring/both seasons prescribed burns, assisted by Jason Vermillion. Clay indicated that 5 letters had been received in the most recent comment period, and that there were responses listed for 22 comments. The USFS considered the county’s input on this project but not all requests were incorporated into the plan. In general, the committee did not object to their path forward. The overall intent of the county concerns were addressed.There is an additional 30-45 day period for objections before a Decision can be published; however, there was no action on the part of the committee to recommend further comment or objection on the part of the County.
4.05
4.06 / FAC Review of 3 grant applications: Butte County Sheriff and Plumas County Sheriff OHV Law Enforcementgrants and Plumas County Public Works Ground Operations grants were discussed. In each case, the FAC had questions about the proposed grant expenses and purpose. The FAC particularly wants to see more boots on the ground from law enforcement, and more focus on resource damage citations. Peggy Moak agreed to contact the two Sheriff Departments for answers to the questions posed, and circulate the responses to the FAC. Comment letter due May 2
The 3-08-16 Butte BOS Comment Letters on the Lassen NF Over-Snow-Vehicles NEPA/EIS and High Lakes Motorized Trails Reroutes and Staging Area were provided to FAC members.
4.07
4.08
4.09
4.10 / a)Committee Reports: Teri Faulkner provided a report on the BLM meeting and indicated she would follow up with an email further detailing the information presented. Peggy Moak briefly recapped the 3/24 CSAC meeting on Tree Mortality issues and will give a full presentation at the April meeting.
b) SPI letters (2) to the Board were provided, having to do with SPI’s perceived need to keep roads closed due to lack of County maintenance and SPI’s responsibility for maintaining to meet water quality standards. FAC discussion generally supportive of the County working more closely with SPI on gate closure issues to help mitigate road damage and erosion of adjoining lands, but also concern was expressed that the County had allowed the gates to be put up on county roads in the first place. The committee commented that road closure during wet road conditions (when the most damage can be done) seemed reasonable.
SOPA Review – Current Quarter: Discussion & required FAC action for projects affecting Butte County listed in 2016 SOPA Reports for Lassen and Plumas NF’s. Refer to SOPA flow chart and SOPA Tracking (Chair)
A discussion of the location and timing of future FAC meetings was conducted. A motion was made to continue meeting from 5:00 – 7:00 on the 4th Monday of each month at the Chico location for a six month trial period. M-Jim Shary, 2nd Pete Moak, Approved 5-0
New Business – considerations for upcoming meeting agendas:
- Lassen National Forest – Forest Plan Presentation
- Search & Rescue @ Philbrook – warming hut needed
- Snowplowing by County to Bucks Lake by County – any possibility?
- When available, Tom Kelly’s maps of USFS roads and access roads to public lands
- Discussion of letter from Butte BOS to La Malfa, re: roads/gates/accessibility to public lands
- Report on RTP Grant – Sarah Reynolds/Mike Crump
- Sierra Club Trails Guide – invite them to make a presentation
- F&W Service – Table Mountain Trail
- Any update of Four Trees Road access?
- Gray Wolf – Henry Lomeli, F&W - June
Next meeting will be April 25 in Chico. Start time will be 5:00 PM
4.11 / Public Comment (THE COMMITTEE IS PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW FROM TAKING ACTION ON ANY ITEM PRESENTED IF IT IS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA.) Public comment was taken throughout the meeting,
Feb: Teri Faulkner provided information on the CalTrans Bridge Replacement Project over the Sacramento River on Hwy 162 near Butte City in Glenn County. The project will require closure of the highway and a 34 mile detour on local roads from June 2020 to November 2021.
Update: Assemblyman Gallagher has taken on this issue with CalTrans and believes he is making headway on finding a solution to accommodate the residential and business needs of the folks that utilize this route.