Branch blocking the bridge between Mile Marker 44.5 and 45 on the Pioneer Express trail. Located between Horseshoe Bar and Rattlesnake Bar. Riding this weekend? Bring your saw...
In an effort to fund the next phase of the Hidden Falls Regional Park Trails Expansion Project, the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the Department of Public Works to submit an application for grant funding.
The $3 million grant will be provided through the Regional Park Program, which funds non-motorized infrastructure and enhancements that create, expand and improve regional parks and their facilities, according to the staff report. If Placer County receives the grant, the funding would be used to connect the current Hidden Falls Park to the expansion area, according to Parks Administrator Andy Fisher. According to the staff report, the funding will be utilized for three miles of connecting trail, two bridges over Raccoon Creek and a box culvert. One bridge will provide access for pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists and lightweight vehicles like quads utilized by County Parks, ranger staff and Placer Land Trust staff. The second bridge will provide access for emergency medical response personnel and light duty trucks used by County Parks, ranger staff and Placer Land Trust staff. The staff report notes the cost of this phase of the Hidden Falls expansion project is $4.7 million, and will utilize $960,000 from the General Fund and $740,475 in Park Dedication Fees to cover the remaining $1.7 million balance. District 3 Supervisor Jim Holmes pulled the item from the consent agenda to confirm the application details and inquired if funds have already been taken from the General Fund and put toward the project. Fisher confirmed the $960,000 has not been earmarked yet, as the grant is competitive and it is not known if Placer will receive the funds at this time. Holmes also noted the board has received concerns from park neighbors regarding increased wildfire risk and illegal parking and trespassing in the Lone Star Cemetery area and requested staff provide answers to residents’ questions and concerns. Fisher said county staff has held five meetings since the project’s approval to receive park neighbors’ comments, and confirmed they will continue working with the community and finalizing a draft plan for fuels management and emergency access. “We do have a draft plan for both fuels management and for emergency access, and that will be formalized with involvement from the community - with CAL FIRE input, with registered foresters input - and that plan will be finalized before we open up and they’ll be able to see that as it progresses,” Fisher said. Fisher said if the county receives the grant, it is anticipated funds will be distributed early in the next fiscal year, which will begin July 1, 2022, and construction would be anticipated in 2023 or 2024. -by Stacey Adams CLICK HERE to see the original article and photos in Gold Country Media. On Wednesday morning, the Biden administration confirmed that it would nominate Tracy Stone-Manning to take over as director of the BLM. She would serve under recently confirmed Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Stone-Manning is currently the Associate Vice President for Public Lands at the National Wildlife Federation and was a chief of staff for former Gov. Steve Bullock and director of the Department of Environmental Quality. From the Missousla Current News Journal: "If confirmed by the Senate, Stone-Manning will take over a department that saw detrimental change during the Trump administration. Former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt hired William Perry Pendley to head the BLM, but Pendley was never confirmed during the year and a half he was “acting” director. After Steve Bullock and the Montana Department of Natural Resources Conservation sued the BLM and the Department of the Interior on July 20, 2020, Great Falls federal court judge Brian Morris ruled in September that Pendley was running the BLM illegally. But during his time, Pendley instituted several changes including moving the BLM headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Grand Junction, Colo. The move created a brain drain for the department because a majority of the headquarters staff left rather than make the move. Pendley, a Colorado resident, was also president of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, a property-rights group that regularly sued the Department of the Interior on behalf of extractive industry companies. Montanans first heard of Pendley during the Blackfoot Nation’s struggle to close down a few decades-old oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine, an area on the Rocky Mountain Front adjacent to the Blackfoot Reservation and Glacier National Park. Pendley was the lead counsel for Solonex, a Louisiana oil company that is suing the U.S. government for the right to drill in the Badger-Two Medicine. On Wednesday, Sen. Jon Tester praised Stone-Manning, who also served as one of Tester’s senior aids. “Tracy Stone-Manning is imminently qualified to take the helm at the Bureau of Land Management at such a critical time for the agency. She understands the complex issues facing the Department, and I know if nominated, she’d bring Montana commonsense to land management decisions that will keep our economy thriving,” Tester said in a statement. Conservation groups that continually fought the BLM under Pendley celebrated the news. Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Denver-based Center for Western Priorities, said the BLM, which manages one-tenth of U.S. land, deserves a stronger, legitimate leader. “Stone-Manning’s depth of expertise and breadth of knowledge will be critical assets in reforming the Bureau of Land Management and restoring trust in our public land managers. By listening to a broad range of stakeholders, instead of just the drilling and mining industries, Stone-Manning can restore a sense of balance in our public land management,” Rokala said in a statement. Ben Gabriel, Montana Wilderness Association executive director, called on Sen. Steve Daines to confirm a Montanan as the BLM director. “Having Tracy Stone Manning lead the BLM will be an incredible boon for Montana and our nation. She’s a straight shooter, with an impressive history of working on both sides of the aisle for the good of public lands, wildlife, water quality, and Montana’s rural communities,” Gabriel said in a statement." To see the complete article from the Missoula Current News Journal, CLICK HERE. ========================== From the BLM Press Release: Tracy Stone-Manning was ceremonially sworn in today as Director of the Bureau of Land Management by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “The Bureau of Land Management plays a critical role in Interior’s efforts to address the climate crisis, expand public access to our public lands, create a clean energy future, and preserve our nation’s shared outdoor heritage. Tracy brings a wealth of knowledge in conservation and environmental policy to these efforts and a history of working with diverse communities in service to our public lands,” said Secretary Haaland. “I look forward to working with her to strengthen the bureau and advance Interior’s mission.” “I am deeply honored to lead the Bureau of Land Management and carry out its critical mission to protect and manage America’s public lands. I recognize that there is work to be done to rebuild the BLM, and I look forward to connecting with the important stakeholders that rely on its strong management,” said Director Stone-Manning. “Our public lands are one of America’s finest ideas, and I am ready to get to work alongside a remarkable team to ensure our outdoor spaces are protected for current and future generations to enjoy.” Tracy was most recently senior advisor for conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation. Before joining the Federation, she served as Montana Governor Bullock’s chief of staff, where she oversaw day-to-day operations of his cabinet and the state’s 11,000 employees. She stepped into that post after serving as the director of the state’s Department of Environmental Quality and as a regional director and senior advisor to Senator Jon Tester. Tracy holds a master's degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana and a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland. To see the complete BLM Press Release, CLICK HERE. A reminder that the trail from Auburn Overlook to No Hands Bridge is getting some maintenance this week.
For any more information on Auburn State Recreation Area trails: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1345 Samples show Toxic Algae at Oregon Creek, Prosser Creek, Lincoln Creek and Duncan Creek, but may exist elsewhere on the Tahoe National Forest.
Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from algae. Do not eat shellfish from these waterbodies. California Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Portal The CA HABs Portal is the central resource for HABs in the state of California. HABs can pose a health risk to people and animals, harm aquatic ecosystems, and limit the use of drinking and recreational waterbodies due to the toxins, odors, and scums or mats they can produce. The Portal is an informational resource for the public and also functions as a tool to support coordination with statewide partners to address HABs. The content is developed by the California Cyanobacteria and HAB (CCHAB) Network and participating state agencies. The content included here focuses on freshwater and estuarine HABs; similar content for marine (coastal) HABs is provided by the California Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Alert Program (CalHABMAP) webpages. HAB Incident Reports Map HAB Incident Reports Map provides data on voluntarily reported blooms in California. The data may include reports under investigation and/or confirmed incidents of HABs. HAB Data Viewer HAB Data Viewer presents individual maps that displays data from satellite imagery and special assessments conducted at local waterbodies. The mosquito that can carry the Zika virus, dengue fever and other serious illnesses has been detected near Camelia Park in south Sacramento, according to a Tuesday notice from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. District officials said a single female Aedes aegypti mosquito had been caught in a trap near the park, which is located near the intersection of Elder Creek and Power Inn roads. “Finding these mosquitoes in a completely new area likely means they could possibly be established anywhere,” said Gary Goodman, the manager for the Sacramento district. “We will continue to work diligently looking for and identifying locations where these mosquitoes could be breeding.” The discovery prompted Goodman to have more traps set in the area, according to the control district, and more of the mosquitoes were found. Unlike most other mosquito genuses, the Aedes Aegypti is particularly aggressive during daylight hours. This means hikers, bikers, equestrians and other trail users who recreate in daylight hours could be infected by these mosquitos. District officials said they will continue to set additional traps in other areas to determine the extent of the infestation, and they will deploy field technicians to do inspections houses by house, advising residents on how to eliminate potential breeding areas. The aedes aegypti does not need much water to reproduce, officials said, because they lay their eggs just above water. They can reproduce in containers as small as flower pots, pet dishes, bird baths, tin cans, tires and even bottle caps. “Mosquito control is a collaborative effort,” Goodman said. “We need the support from all residents to drain all sources of stagnant water and ensure they are not breeding mosquitoes around their home.” The aedes aegypti can carry not only Zika and dengue but also yellow fever and chikungunya. If pregnant women are infected with Zika virus, their fetuses can develop a birth defect known as microcephaly, or a small head, and there’s also a risk of premature birth or miscarriage. Not everyone who gets Zika virus will get symptoms, and the disease can remain active in semen long after men have recovered from the disease. Both dengue fever and chikungunya are quite serious illnesses. While chikungunya is not fatal, it causes very severe bone and joint pain that can last months to years. A harrowing Kabul escape How Afghans are adjusting to their new home in If you notice day-biting mosquitoes, report them immediately at (800) 429-1022 or request service at www.FIGHTtheBITE.net. To read original article in the Sacramento Bee, CLICK HERE. Tahoe Donner Board allows e-bikes on their double track trails, will consider single track in 2022.10/8/2021
Mother Lode Trails stand on electric motorized bikes (e-bikes) is they should be allowed on roads and double track trails, and on motorized trails. Because they have a motor, they should not be allowed on NON-motorized single track trails and within existing ADA rules. "AT THE SEPTEMBER 17 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING, THE NEW RULE CONCERNING E-BIKE USAGE WAS ADOPTED. Per the September 17, 2021 Tahoe Donner board of directors meeting, Class 1 ebikes (pedal assist bikes) are allowed on Tahoe Donner fire access roads and doubletrack trails. Following Tahoe Donner’s ‘Adaptive Management Program,’ staff will evaluate and permit the use of ebikes on select singletrack trails in 2022. Stay tuned for more info! VIEW THE UPDATED RULE HERE. https://www.tahoedonner.com/off-road-vehicle-notice/ "Like many landowners across the nation, Tahoe Donner has reached the point where there is a need for increased communication, education and consideration about the topic of electric bicycles, commonly referred to as e-bikes, on the Tahoe Donner trail system. With support from the board of directors, the new year brought the launch of a new membership outreach initiative about e-bike regulations on our trails. Management engaged the membership on this topic through focus groups, a member survey and member comment, and findings and recommendation(s) have been presented at multiple board meetings in 2021. Through a member outreach initiative, board and staff discussed the full spectrum of possible outcomes, including keeping the existing rule as written, adding language to specify more clearly that motor-powered bikes include e-bikes, permitting e-bikes on specifically designated trails or fully including e-bikes across the entire trail system. After board, staff and member discussion, at the September 17 special board meeting the board adopted the proposed rules change to allow class 1 e-bike usage on the trails and fire road system as designed and regulated by future association open spaces and trails policies. With this change, e-bikes are permitted only on doubletrack trails (trails that have two paths created from the wheels of a vehicle) at this time. As part of our adaptive management program, this will be evaluated in the spring of 2022. The prohibition of off-road vehicles now includes utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), side-by-side vehicles (XSXs), motor-propelled scooters/boards and other motor-propelled vehicles. To view the recap of this meeting, click here. BACKGROUNDAn e-bike is an electrically assisted bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts of power. Available for multiple uses, e-bikes can assist with longer rides and enable riders with limited physical ability to enjoy outdoor recreation more fully. PREVIOUS TAHOE DONNER RULE Under the previous Tahoe Donner Covenants Rules, the association prohibited motor-powered bikes on common area and other association-owned property: Covenants Rules Association Owned Property, section 2.2 Off-road Vehicles: Snowmobiles, motor-powered bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), off-road motorcycles and off-road use of any motorized vehicle is prohibited on Common Areas, and other Association-owned properties, except that the Association may use such vehicles in the furtherance of its operations. Because an e-bike is a bicycle equipped with a small electric motor that assists a rider with speed, elevation or a combination of both, it was considered banned under the previous rule. Under California law, e-bikes fall into Class 1, 2 or 3: CLASS 1 E-BIKE Low-speed, pedal-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that activates only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour CLASS 2 E-BIKE Low-speed, throttle-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour (pedaling not required for electric assist when using throttle) CLASS 3 E-BIKE Higher-speed, pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 mph; operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be 16 years or older and wear a helmet To see the original announcement on the Tahoe Donner website, CLICK HERE. This trails plan has been in the works for years and it's time to put in your two cents worth:
FOLSOM LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA TRAILS PLAN NEEDS YOUR INPUT The Folsom Area State Parks Road & Trail Management Plan is underway, and your input is needed! California State Parks is preparing a Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) and Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park (SHP). The purpose of this RTMP is to provide specific and detailed management direction for roads and trails within the park unit, guiding the operation, maintenance, and development of the road and trail system. The RTMP is anticipated to be completed within 18-24 months, and the planning process will offer multiple opportunities for public input and engagement. There are several ways that you can participate in the planning process this fall, including: Join the first virtual public meeting Tuesday, October 26, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Register for the meeting online: www.folsomstateparksrtmp.eventbrite.com This meeting is the first of two public meetings and is an opportunity to learn more about the planning process and share your thoughts. Your input will inform the development of the Draft RTMP, which will be discussed at a second public meeting in Spring, 2022. If you require special accommodations for the October 26th meeting, please contact [email protected] by October 23rd, 2021. Take an Online Survey Take the survey here: https://bit.ly/FolsomRTMP-survey This survey invites you to tell us about how you use the trail system and your priorities and preferences for future improvements and management. This survey can be taken from any computer or device. Participate in an on-site challenge for your PHONE Give us feedback while exploring the park with California State Parks’ official trails app! Click on this link <https://outerspatial.link/CoCeiJecDjb> while on your phone to download the app to download the app (OuterSpatial), which includes Folsom SRA and SHP trails, and others in the area. When you open the app using this link, you will be immediately invited to participate in the first ‘Challenge’ (or on-site survey activity) offered by California State Parks. Thank you for your interest in Folsom Area State Parks and we hope to hear from you soon! The Folsom Area State Parks RTMP Project website <https://www.parks.ca.gov/FolsomSRA-RTMP> or <https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28192> is a great resource for project updates and opportunities throughout the process. Please share with your contacts and let them know that they can sign up for email updates and learn more about the project on the project website or by contacting [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and vision for the Folsom Area State Parks trail systems. If you have additional comments and questions, please email us at [email protected] From the Placer Land Trust: "The trails at Canyon View Preserve are temporarily closed for fire safety maintenance and improvements. For your safety and to protect the preserve, please keep out until the trails are reopened. We will post an update here when trails are open again. Thank you!"
"Sierra Pacific Industries Reopens Its California Forestlands for Public Access"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from Sierra Pacific Industries October 4, 2021 With the reduced risk of extreme wildfire conditions, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is reopening its California forestlands to public access, effective immediately. Closures will remain in place on SPI forestlands in the vicinity of the 2020 and 2021 wildfires to ensure the safety of the public and crews working to recover, restore and reforest the lands impacted by those fires. “SPI takes its commitment to protecting our forest resources and public safety seriously,” said Andrea Howell, SPI spokeswoman. “We thank the public for respecting these temporary closures. We are glad conditions have improved so that we can reopen our lands for responsible recreation.” SPI’s public access policy allows for use of most its California forestlands for hunting and other recreational activities. Many areas are limited to non-motorized use for resource protection or public safety concerns. In addition to the wildfire-related closures, other areas will be posted closed for active logging, existing leases, wildlife protection and other considerations. For inquiries about areas remaining closed due for post-wildfire forest recovery, contact the SPI California Public Recreation Hotline, 530-378-8274. To learn more about the company’s recreation access policies, which includes no campfires or overnight camping, visit http://spi-ind.com/OurForests/RecreationAccess." To see the original Press Release, CLICK HERE. |
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