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Now is the time to expand Hidden Falls Trails

10/29/2020

 
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Oct 28, 2020 
Trails are a favorite of Placer County residents, whether you hike, ride a bike or horse, or run.
A county opinion survey showed multi-use trails as the top priority for future park projects –
91 percent support more trails and recreation access to open space. Foothill trails are in high demand but short supply, and users of Placer County’s foothill trails routinely experience overcrowding of popular trailheads and trails, especially at Hidden Falls Regional Park.


Placer Trails, a coalition of seven trail groups active in Placer County with more than 4,000 members, enthusiastically supports the Hidden Falls Trail Expansion Project. The expansion project will double the size of the Hidden Falls trail network and provide public access to more than 2,500 acres of open-space preserves owned by Placer Land Trust.

For more than 15 years, the Land Trust has been working together with Placer County, the State of California, foundations and willing landowners to acquire this natural open space and working rangeland north of the existing Hidden Falls Regional Park, extending to the Bear River.

More than $7 million of county funds have been invested along with state and foundation funds to permanently protect these lands as natural open space, for continued livestock grazing and to provide for public trail access. Each acquisition the county helped fund required deeded trail easements owned by the county to provide public trail access. Without trail access, the county would not have participated and there would be no preserves.

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for full build-out of the Trail Expansion Project, which would include three new trailheads, more than 350 new parking spaces and 30 miles of trail, concluded that all but a few potential impacts would be less than significant.

Fire officials approved plans for wildfire mitigation and evacuation, and traffic engineers approved the adequacy of area roads. Cal Fire data do not show use of non-motorized trails as a significant fire risk. Even so, project opponents who live near the park continue to voice concerns. In addition to fire and traffic, opponents fear trail recreation and livestock grazing will not be compatible and that agriculture will suffer. However, there are examples throughout California, including East Bay Regional Parks, city of San Luis Obispo and several more, where there have been years of uneventful coexistence of multi-use trails through open rangeland with no ill-effects on livestock or trail users. Recreation and agriculture can successfully coexist, and both are critical to our region’s economy.

In response to public comment, economics and other factors not evaluated in the EIR, county parks has proposed a reduced project as a compromise between (1) the full project evaluated in the EIR, and (2) elimination of the project as sought by neighborhood opponents. The reduced project is similar to the lowest-impact project alternative evaluated in the EIR, but with even less public access. The reduced project would reduce public benefits but would have the least negative impact on the environment and the neighborhood because it substantially reduces parking, road modifications and traffic. By comparison, if the trail expansion properties were instead developed to the level allowed by current zoning, there would be more traffic added than by the trailhead parking proposed in the reduced project.

Placer Trails has carefully considered the reduced project in relation to our previous recommendation to proceed with the full project. Despite reduction of new parking by more than half from the full project, as well as elimination of public access at Curtola Ranch Road, the reduced project stills achieves a modest increase in parking and, most importantly, will grant public access to 30 miles of new trails through Land Trust preserves – trails which taxpayers have invested in.

Placer Trails supports the reduced project as an acceptable compromise that will substantially reduce neighborhood impacts, already deemed less than significant, while still opening up a new multi-use trails for public use. The Parks Commission agreed, with a unanimous vote to recommend the reduced project. We hope the opponents of the project will also see this as a reasonable compromise.
Seldom has it been so clear as during the global pandemic that the health of our community depends on ready access to nature and trails. The county should move ahead with the reduced project to create a truly unique and expansive trail system in the foothills of Placer County for present and future generations.

Learn more at PlacerTrails.org and join us in speaking up for trails!

​--
Bob Gilliom

CLICK HERE to see original article in Gold Country Media.

Eldorado National Forest day use sites open

10/29/2020

 
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​There are many opportunities for day use on the Eldorado National Forest, including fishing, hunting, boating and many miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and motorized vehicle use. Contact the forest Visitor Information Team for travel planning assistance. They are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

FOREST SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE: (530)-303-2412

PACIFIC & PLACERVILLE RANGER DISTRICTS: (916)-500-4712

GEORGETOWN RANGER DISTRICT: (530)-334-6477

AMADOR RANGER DISTRICT: (209)-259-3774

To see original Facebook post CLICK HERE.


Escaped campfire in Grouse Ridge area

10/25/2020

 
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U.S. Forest Service- Tahoe National Forest
  · 
10.24.20 At this hour (9:30pm)
Tahoe National Forest Yuba River Ranger District Division 3 Eric Rice along with TNF Big Bend Engine 334, and a cover engine from Lassen National Forest E-381, have stopped the forward progression of an escaped campfire after hiking in to the southeast side of Island Lake on the TNF. Suppression efforts will continue until the 10’x10’ Island Fire is fully contained and controlled ahead of the critical fire weather conditions forecasted to impact the Tahoe National Forest tomorrow through Monday.

Reminder- Tahoe National Forest Fire Restrictions prohibit ALL campfiresDispersed camping and target shooting are also prohibited Camp stoves are only permitted in open, developed campgrounds.

For Fire Restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe/

The predicted high winds and low relative humidity are conducive to rapid fire spread and the public is urged to not only prevent wildfires but also be prepared and have an evacuation plan in the event a wildfire ignites under these dangerous Red Flag fire weather conditions.

For fire preparedness tools go to readyforwildfire.org

Hidden Falls closed Oct. 23 - Oct. 25, extreme fire danger

10/23/2020

 
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Due to excessive heat and fire danger, the park will be closed from October 23 - October 25.
The determination to close Hidden Falls is made in conjunction with the issuance of fire related warnings issued by the National Weather Service and in consultation with CalFIRE personnel. 

​HIDDEN FALLS REGIONAL PARK TO CLOSE ON DAYS OF EXTREME FIRE WEATHER
As part of our land stewardship and commitment to reduce wildfire risk, beginning July 1, Hidden Falls Regional Park will begin closing the park to public access during days that are determined to be extreme fire weather.  Notice will be given as far in advance of closure days as possible but may be as short as 12 hours’ notice before closure the following day.  Please check status immediately before leaving on your visit to Hidden Falls this summer.  Visitors with reservations during closure days will be given credit for the purchase price of their reservation to be used for a future visit.  

Thank you for your understanding in helping to keep Hidden Falls and its neighbors safe from wildfire.

CLICK HERE to see latest information on the Hidden Falls website regarding wildfire and closures.

Tahoe National Forest Extends Dispersed Camping and Target Shooting Prohibitions

10/22/2020

 
Nevada City, Calif. October 21, 2020 –  The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has extended fire restrictions in California through October 22, 2020.
This revised Fire Restriction prohibits the following activities across all National Forests in California:
No Smoking
No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
  • The use of a portable lantern or stove using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel within a Developed Recreation Site (such as an official campground) is allowed.
  • Generators are allowed for use on paved, gravel or dirt National Forest System roads and trails, staging areas, and within campgrounds.
While popular activities such as hunting, hiking, boating, and other types of general recreation are now allowed across the Tahoe National Forest, dispersed camping and target shooting prohibitions have been extended through October 31, 2020. These prohibitions include:
No camping outside of developed campgrounds. A list of open, developed campgrounds is provided below. There are two exceptions to this prohibition-
  • Dispersed camping within the Granite Chief Wilderness is allowed. Dispersed camping within 500 feet of the Pacific Crest Trail is allowed.
No target shooting. Discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, and federal law and regulations, is prohibited.

Open Campgrounds
The following campgrounds are open.
Foresthill Divide Road
Giant GapShirttail​Gold Lake Road
Packsaddle
Salmon Creek
Sardine
​Mosquito Ridge Road
  • French Meadows (Water systems limited; campers are asked to conserve water)
  • Ahart
Interstate 80
Indian Springs
North Fork (Reopens 9/25)
Highway 49
Fiddle CreekIndian ValleyWild plumUnion Flat
Rocky Rest
Cal Ida
Carlton Flat 
Highway 20
White Cloud (some sites closed due to hazard trees)
Skillman
Highway 89, North 
East Meadow (operated by NID)Upper Little Truckee  Lower Little Truckee 
Pass Creek (operated by NID)
Pass Creek Overflow
Bear Valley
Little Laiser

Tree blocking Pioneer Express trail at Horseshoe Bar

10/17/2020

 
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 This photo was taken on the Pioneer Express trail going north from Sterling Pointe Equestrian Staging towards Horseshoe Bar, about 50 yards from the picnic table. Although hikers can go under it, horses cannot. From the chain saw cut, this looks as if someone has deliberately felled this tree. This has been reported to the Folsom Lake SRA Rangers who will work with Folsom Lake SRA Maintenance to clear the tree soon. It is illegal for anyone to cut wood or fell trees in the State Park unless working on a specific authorized work party. If you see anyone illegally cutting trees in the Park, call Dispatch at 916 358-1300.

Tree down on Pioneer Express Trail, Folsom Lake SRA

10/9/2020

 
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Downed tree at mile marker 41.8 (Pioneer Express Trail south from Sterling Pointe Equestrian Staging  towards Granite Bay). It is planned that it will be removed Tuesday October 13, 2020. Rangers evaluated the site on Saturday. .

Oct. 6 Hidden Falls Expansion Town Hall presented by Placer County Board of Supervisors

10/4/2020

 
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There will be a Placer County Town Hall meeting explaining Hidden Falls Expansion and answering questions, Tues., October 6, 2020, from 5:30 to 8:30pm.

TRAILS ADVOCATES - YOUR SUPPORT AND INPUT IS NEEDED

The Board of Supervisors requested the Town Hall meeting at the urging of the neighbors to explain the reduced Hidden Falls expansion plan. It’s important we let the Supervisors know that we support the expansion of Hidden Falls and the reduced plan being proposed.

People can attend in person, Planning Commission Hearing room, 3091 County Center Drive, North Auburn, seating will be limited because of social distancing.
The other way is to listen in and comment through ZOOM:

http://placer-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/95536617242
or via phone, toll free 877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099

Some talking points for approving the Reduced Expansion Plan:
  1. I support approval of the final Environmental Impact Report, the Final EIR
    demonstrates that the full project can be built with mitigations.
  2. The reduced Hidden Falls proposal reduces parking by 60% from the
    original plan and a huge compromise, but we support this compromise to respect the neighbors.
  3. County surveys and other forums show the public has consistently shown a desire
    for more public trails and open space. Survey West Placer County Region Priority: Expand Hidden Falls Regional Park Facilities. 91% of respondents to the survey, strongly or somewhat support more trails and recreation and access to open space.
  4. 500,000 residents of Placer County will thank you for your support to expand
    Hidden Falls.
While the Town Hall meeting is not a formal Public Hearing, it is important trail and open space voices are heard here and at the next formal meetings.

The next Public Hearing will be before the Planning Commission which is scheduled for October 22, 2020. It will be very important that trails advocates be in the audience, and speak to approving Hidden Falls.

Letters can also be sent to the Planning Commission in support of Hidden Falls expansion to arrive no later than October 16. Mail to
Placer County Planning Commission
Attn. Sue Colbert, Planning Commission Clerk
3091County Center Drive, Auburn, Ca. 95603

or email a note to Placer County Planning Commission: [email protected] 


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