West Nile virus activity is surging in Sacramento County, with the region now leading the state, officials say.
There is also greater and more localized activity this year compared to last year, said Luz Robles, public information officer for the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District.
“Residents need to be vigilant, especially as we enter the hottest of the hottest weeks of the year,” Robles said, explaining that heat advances the life cycles of mosquitoes.
West Nile Virus activity is defined by the number of dead birds and mosquito samples testing positive for the virus, Robles said. Sentinel chickens and horses testing positive would also be taken into consideration, but there have not been cases of either in California so far this year.
In the majority of cases, the disease is contracted from the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes become carriers of the disease after feeding on infected birds, such as crows, ravens and finches, which act as hosts for the disease.
More mosquitoes flying around means a greater chance of getting bitten and a greater chance of contracting the virus.
Nine human cases in California have tested positive for the virus. Fresno and San Bernardino counties have reported one positive human case each, and Kern, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties have each reported two positive human cases.
The California West Nile virus website does show one human case in Sacramento County testing positive for the virus, but an official from Sacramento County clarified that the county believes this individual was infected with the virus in 2017 and only just tested this year.
Last week, 15 dead birds tested positive for West Nile virus – 14 of those birds were from Sacramento County. Most local activity is widespread, Robles said, but activity has been specifically identified in Land Park and Elk Grove.
A total number of 50 dead birds from 12 California counties have tested positive for the virus this year, with just over half of those birds collected from Sacramento County.
“Dead bird reports are very important because they are usually the first indication that the virus is active in an area,” the westnile.ca.gov website states.
Locally, on July 11, 31 mosquito samples tested positive for the virus, reports the Mosquito and Vector Control District. These samples, which test from one to 50 mosquitoes at a time, were collected from Elk Grove and Sacramento parks and neighborhoods.
Recently, activity of the virus was identified in Yolo County, with a mosquito sample from Davis testing positive.
After receiving lab results from the Elk Grove mosquito samples showing positive results, the Mosquito and Vector Control District responded quickly, spraying parts of Elk Grove with a treatment aimed to reduce mosquito populations.
Residents can sign up to receive notifications about spraying activity within their ZIP code on the Mosquito and Vector Control District’s website.
The district asks people who see a bird dead for less than 24 hours to report it online on the westnile.ca.gov website or by calling 877-968-2473.
Although most people infected with the disease don’t show symptoms, about one in five people infected will develop a condition referred to as West Nile fever, with symptoms including headache, body aches, joint pains and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The most severe cases – about 1 in every 150 cases – can be life-threatening.
Robles said people should avoid mosquito bites by using repellant, staying inside from dusk to dawn as much aspossible or wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors during these times and draining all standing water, which acts as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

CLICK HERE to see original article and photos in the Sacramento Bee.

The Friends of North Bloomfield and Malakoff Diggins, in cooperation with the Sierra Gold Sector of California State Parks, will present a very special hike with Hank Meals on July 14, 2018. The hike is the latest in the Discover Malakoff! monthly events and activities initiated by the Friends of North Bloomfield & Malakoff. The intent of the Discover Malakoff! series is to bring new visitors to the remote state park throughout the entire year, and to ignite interest and support for the wide spectrum of resources and activities at the historic park, home to the still-standing “ghost town” of North Bloomfield, and site of the largest hydraulic mine in the country.When: Saturday July 14, 2018, 9 am-1 pm

Hike Description: From downtown North Bloomfield to the Diggins Trail and back is about a 3.5 to 4 mile loop trail in a unique environment. The Diggins Trail offers a good close look at the industrial landscape created by the Malakoff mine and to what degree nature is reclaiming the place. In addition to the fascinating history of the hydraulic mine, there is an artistic dimension in the fantastic pallet of colors in the exposed gravel banks. Our hike should last about three and a half hours.
Cost: Free for the tour; $10 state park day use fee

Transportation: Carpooling is encouraged. We will meet at the museum/park headquarters. Accessing the park from Highway 49 and Tyler Foote Road is recommended, as the shortest route via North Bloomfield Road is very rough, and unpaved from Edwards Crossing.
This free event is limited to 25 participants and requires pre-registration RSVP.
What to bring: Water (2 liters), sack lunch, hat, sunscreen, camera, shoes suitable for uneven ground and wet (muddy) crossings. Bring a small backpack for your food and water. Please leave your dogs at home for this event, since dogs are not permitted on this trail.

Event registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/discover-malakoff-diggins-hike-with-hank-meals-tickets-47469725226
Please do RSVP, and update, if you need to change your plans. We will maintain a wait list.
For more information call (530) 265-2740 or email friends.nbmd.publicity@gmail.com

*Trip Leader: Hank Meals, 2013 Bear Yuba Land Trust John Skinner Sierra Outdoors Recreation Award Recipient
Hank Meals, archeologist, writer and photographer worked as an archeologist for the Tahoe National Forest over the course of 25 years. His is a talented photojournalist, with hands-on experience in all manner of outdoor activities from tree planting, fire fighting, trail constructing, and cone-gathering to wildlife habitat improvement, trail guiding and interpretation. He is the author of several books about trails and is co-authoring a book about the Nisenan people. Meals has been leading hikes for local nonprofits for more than 20 years and his knowledge of local history and trails is legendary.
Learn more about Malakoff:
http://malakoffdigginsstatepark.org/ and https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=494

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 North Bloomfield Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Presented by the Friends of North Bloomfield and Malakoff Diggins and California State Parks Sierra Gold Sector
Friends of North Bloomfield & Malakoff Diggins Mission:
We enhance the interpretive experience for visitors, promote park-based education for learners of all ages, and support and preserve the natural and cultural resources of Malakoff Diggins SHP. We also assist other cooperative associations and the State Park System mission for the benefit of the public.

CLICK HERE to see the original article in Yubanet.net

The Pacific Crest Trail Association has created an up-to-the-minute trail closure alert webpage for the PCT. Before you head out to hike or ride the PCT, be sure to check and make sure it's open.

Just go here:
https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/northern-california/

A Park Watch Reporter told MLT of logging activity in the Lone Grave trails area, especially close to the Gold Country Equestrian Trailhead (off Conservation Road on Highway 20 above Nevada City) where she could hear and see the loggers from the trail head.

Signs are posted giving more information on areas and dates the loggers will be working.

If you would like to avoid any logging activity, Sunday would be the best day to use those trails.

The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. Starting in Squaw Valley, California near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, the Western States, in the decades since its inception in 1974, has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world.

Following the historic Western States Trail, runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet before they reach the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn. In the miles between Squaw Valley and Auburn, runners experience the majestic high country beauty of Emigrant Pass and the Granite Chief Wilderness, the crucible of the canyons of the California gold country, a memorable crossing of the ice-cold waters of the main stem of the Middle Fork of the American River, and, during the latter stages, the historic reddish-brown-colored trails that led gold-seeking prospectors and homesteading pilgrims alike to the welcoming arms of Auburn.
For more than four decades, Western States has been home to some of the sport’s most stirring and legendary competitions, and has spurred the capacity of spirit of all runners, of all abilities and from all walks of life, from all over the globe.
With more than 1,500 dedicated volunteers, offering the sport’s oldest and most prized possession – a sub-30-hour finisher’s bronze belt buckle or a sub-24-hour finisher’s silver belt buckle – and owning 100-mile racing’s richest and most compelling history, Western States remains one of the undisputed crown jewels of human endurance.

For all information, go to the WSER website https://www.wser.org/

All other trail users, use other trails this weekend.

PLACER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - California State Parks invites the public to attend its upcoming open house and help shape the future of Auburn State Recreation Area (Auburn SRA). The open house will be held Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the Gold Country Fairgrounds Sierra Building, 209 Fairgate Road in Auburn (95603).  There will not be a scheduled presentation. Children are welcome.

Auburn SRA is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, northeast of Sacramento. It includes about 30,000 acres of public land that is situated along nearly 40 linear miles of the north and middle forks of the American River. California State Parks manages the state recreation area through a managing partner agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). The department is collaborating with the Reclamation to prepare a joint Auburn SRA General Plan/Auburn Public Lands Resource Management Plan (Plan). The Plan alternatives include resource preservation and land use strategies that will serve the communities and recreating public in the long term.

Highlights of the proposed action would allow or facilitate:

• Parking capacity to be increased by up to 25 percent.
• Camping capacity to be increased by up to 245 individual campsites and five group sites.
• River access improvements to trails, roads and boat landings.
• Trail bridges over the North Fork American River between Auburn and Cool and over the Middle Fork American River at the former Greenwood Bridge site.
• Increased natural and cultural resources management, including fire prevention strategies.
• Increased opportunities for visitors to engage in stewardship and education opportunities.
  

Public feedback on how to best provide high-quality recreation while preserving the park for future generations is an important step in ensuring successful Plan development. The planning process has involved the public, scientists, technical experts and land managers in documenting and understanding the park’s important natural, cultural and recreational resources, existing uses and visitor needs. A public workshop held on Dec. 7, 2017, asked Californians to review Plan alternatives to enhance and improve camping, picnicking, boating, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, rock climbing, nature exploration and more. California State Parks also asked for input on the important natural and cultural resources within the state recreation area, and ways to protect and preserve them for future generations to enjoy.

The department is appreciative of the feedback it has received thus far. More than 150 people attended the December public workshop and provided feedback. Online, more than 800 people participated in a questionnaire, and more than a dozen public agencies have provided comments. Information from this feedback was used to prepare the California State Parks proposed action to allow development of additional facilities and management actions.

Once California State Parks finalizes the proposed action, an analysis of the potential environmental impacts of all the alternatives will be conducted. Finally, the Plan will be presented to the California State Park and Recreation Commission and the Bureau of Reclamation for review and adoption. The entire process is expected to be completed by October 2019.

More information about the Plan, the public outreach and the schedule is available at www.parks.ca.gov/PLANASRA. Materials for the June 26, 2018 open house and the online questionnaire are also available on the webpage through July 24, 2018. If you would like to be added to the contact list to receive email notifications of public outreach opportunities, please contact Project Lead Cheryl Essex at plan.general@parks.ca.gov.
Click HERE to see the original article in the Placer Sentinel newspaper.

A Truckee native takes over as Bridgeport District ranger next week, according to the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Monday is Jan Cutts' first day on the job, where she will oversee management of more than 1 million acres of National Forest lands in California and Nevada.
"Jan comes to the forest with 25 years of diverse land management experience," said Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger. "She is no stranger to the Sierra Nevada region, having also worked on the Inyo and Tahoe National Forests in various capacities. We are excited to have Jan join our team. She brings a wealth of skills in working with employees, communities, and other stakeholders to achieve shared stewardship of the National Forest."
Cutts began her Forest Service career in 1989 as a seasonal archaeologist on the Inyo National Forest in Bishop, and subsequently served as assistant forest archaeologist, forest public affairs officer, forest civil rights officer, and Mt. Whitney and White Mountain deputy district ranger. In 2005, Cutts accepted the American River district ranger position in the Tahoe National Forest in Foresthill, Calif.
Cutts then moved to Silverthorne, Colo., in 2008 to serve as the Dillon district range in the White River National Forest. During this time, she also had two four-month details as acting regional director of external affairs for the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region in Denver. In 2015, Cutts left the Forest Service for a three-year break to join her retired husband at their home in the New Mexico mountains.
"I am excited to return to the Forest Service as part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest team and to provide leadership on the Bridgeport Ranger District," said Cutts. "I am especially looking forward to developing and fostering relationships with District employees and partners in our communities. Bridgeport is a busy Ranger District and I'm eager to work together and continue to accomplish great work there. My family and I are thrilled to make the eastern Sierra our home again."

Cutts grew up in Truckee, and earned a bachelor of science in anthropology from the University of California at Davis. She replaces Jeremy Marshall who left the Bridgeport Ranger District for a District Ranger Position with the Tres Piedras Ranger District on the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico.

CLICK HERE to see the original article in the Mountain Democrat newspaper.

Nothing beats getting a little dirt under your fingernails, swinging a Mccleod and that feeling at the end of the day that you contributed to one of our region's fantastic trails. The Land Trust has several trail days this summer to get out and lend a hand.

Become a Volunteer!
The 2018 Truckee Donner Land Trust Trail Work Day schedule:
June 23 (click here for more information)
July 28
August 18
September 8
October 6

General Land Trust volunteering information:
We appreciate the support of our wonderful volunteers. Volunteers typically help with events, administrative work, and with trail maintenance. Please CLICK HERE to complete our volunteer form and let us know how you'd like to support our mission to protect and preserve land in the Truckee Donner area.

CLICK HERE for original article in the Truckee Donner Land Trust News and more information.

Placer County is taking the next step in a proposed expansion of the popular Hidden Falls Regional Park trails system near Auburn. The county has issued a revised notice of preparation for a subsequent environmental impact report for the expansion proposal. The public comment for this notice of preparation extends through July 6. A public scoping meeting to solicit input on the expansion plan will be held June 14 from 6-8 p.m. in the Placer County Planning Commission Hearing Room, located at 3091 County Center Drive in Auburn.
A notice of preparation for the proposed project was originally released in January 2017, followed by a public scoping meeting that February; a revised notice of preparation is being released because the project description is being modified to reflect the county’s potential purchase of the 50-acre Twilight Ride property north of the park, along Bell Road. The property could be used to provide additional parking and access to Hidden Falls Park. More information about the land purchase agreement is available here.
Thanks to a partnership with the Placer Land Trust, approximately 2,500 acres of open space near the 1,200-acre Hidden Falls Park have been preserved and could accommodate the expansion of the trail system from Hidden Falls to the Bear River. This would result in a trail system approximately 60 miles in length, providing hikers, cyclists and equestrians alike with access to more than double the length of existing multi-use trails.
To improve access to the park, the county proposes to build a parking lot and trail connection from a county-owned parcel off of Garden Bar Road to the existing parking lot at Mears Place. Additional parking and trail access are proposed from the Twilight Ride property on Bell Road, as well as from the Harvego Bear River property located north of the park.
Other features of the proposed expansion include those uses already allowed under the current use permit for the park: Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant accessibility features, drinking water fountains, restrooms, on-site groundwater wells, fire suppression facilities, equestrian features (horse watering and hitching posts, horse boarding facilities), other potential concessions compatible with the characteristics of the park (e.g., bicycle rentals, nature education classes), picnic areas, benches, bear-proof trash receptacles and interpretive displays.
The purpose of a NOP is to provide sufficient information about the proposed project to allow agencies and interested parties the opportunity to provide a response related to the scope and content of the project’s subsequent environmental impact report, including mitigation measures that should be considered and alternatives that should be addressed.
There will be additional discussions on the project at upcoming meetings of all seven municipal advisory councils located in western Placer County.
Questions can be addressed to the project manager, Lisa Carnahan, at lcarnaha@placer.ca.gov, or at 530-889-6837. To make formal comments on the project, which will become a part of the administrative record, please direct them to Shirlee Herrington at sherring@placer.ca.gov.