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Placer CO Supervisors approve $1.22 billion budget with $8.8 million in parks and trails projects

6/30/2022

The approved budget will serve as the new spending plan when the next fiscal year begins July 1, 2022.

On June 28th the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a balanced budget for fiscal year 2022-23, representing a 19.2% increase over FY 2021-22.

The countywide plan includes $61 million in roads, bridges and transportation projects and $8.8 million in park projects including Hidden Falls, Dry Creek Park and Martis Valley Trail.

To see the complete article in the District 4 Newsletter, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE: Vote 7-0 to rename Negro Bar to Black Miners Bar

6/16/2022

UPDATE 6/18/2022
The State Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to rename a day-use area in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area after years of calls to do so.
The controversial park name will be temporarily named "Black Miners Bar" after the commission voted 7-0 on Friday at a public hearing. The site was previously called Negro Bar.
Many giving public comments said the change is long overdue.
"Some folks thought that 'Negro' actually is black in Spanish and that that is what it was about, not understanding, every time a Black person passes by that area, they’re punched in the face with that word," said Tracie Stafford, chair of Sacramento County's Democratic Party, who told KCRA 3 she's participated in the name change process over the last year-and-a-half or so.
It could take a year before an official name is chosen, but the commission's chair, Rue Mapp, is encouraged by her panel's decision Friday to approve a "provisional" name change.
"As a Black woman who’s driven by that site, who’s known about that site, it’s been difficult," Mapp said. "So, it is both professional and personal pride in the decision we’ve arrived at today."
State Parks rangers, historians and several state and local groups spent nearly two years researching the area’s history, holding discussions, and ultimately making the day-use site name change recommendation.
"When someone comes to me and tells me they can’t use the park because they’re uncomfortable using it, I take that really deep to heart," said Barry Smith, district superintendent for the Gold Fields District of California State Parks. "[I] feel that it’s my time to listen, and understand why, and what I can do to help."
The day-use area is on the northwestern shore of Lake Natoma, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site offers trails, paddle sports concessions and is a training center for junior lifeguards.
The historic town site of Negro Bar was located across the American River from where the current day-use facilities are and used to have 500-600 residents, according to government records from the 1850s.
“The historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848,” according to State Parks.
State Parks previously decided not to change the name when it came up as an issue in 1999.
In 2018, Phaedra Jones, a Black woman from Stockton, created an online petition to change the name.
In 2020 there was a formal request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the site’s name, according to the State Parks Department.

"The fact that we’re here today, having this discussion — although it’s painful that we are still having this discussion — at least we are having it," Stafford said. "It’s absolutely never too late to make forward movement."
On Saturday, a Juneteenth commemoration event will take place at the site.

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POSTED 6/16/2022
California commission considers renaming Folsom Lake day-use area, developing education program for Black gold rush site. The move comes after meetings with community members, historians and stakeholders. If the name change is approved, the first step would be to temporarily change the name to Black Miners Bar Day-Use Area.

A day-use area in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area of Sacramento County could get a new name after years of calls to do so.

The California State Park and Recreation Commission is holding a public hearing Friday to consider changing the name of Negro Bar, which is on the northwestern shore of Lake Natoma about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. The site offers trails, paddle sports concessions and is a training center for junior lifeguards.

Those in support of change, naming 'Negro' as a dated, derogatory term, and others in opposition, concerned with the potential loss of recognition the name provides to African American presence and participation in the California Gold Rush in this Area,” the commission's discussion item says.

The historic town site of Negro Bar was located across the American River from where the current day-use facilities are and used to have 500-600 residents, according to government records from the 1850s.

“The historical use of the name appears in reference to Black miners during the gold rush including from an 1850 newspaper article noting Black miners finding gold at this location in 1848,” according to State Parks.

State Parks previously decided not to change the name when it came up as an issue in 1999.
In 2018, Phaedra Jones, a Black woman from Stockton, created an online petition to change the name.

Jones suggested that the name be changed to honor one of the Black miners who settled in the area, telling KCRA 3 at the time, “I’m proud that it has been something for Black people. I want it to stay that way.”

Gary Simon, the executive director of Sacramento Juneteenth Inc., told KCRA 3 then that he favored keeping the name "to avoid that history from being lost."

In 2020 there was a formal request to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names to change the site’s name, according to the State Parks Department. The State Parks Department said that it has since held meetings with community members, historians and stakeholders.

“Public and stakeholder input provided significant evidence that a majority of those engaged are either offended or see value in a change from the current name,” the department said. “Some community individuals expressing that they are personally uncomfortable or do not feel safe in visiting the site due to the connotation of the name. Concern was also received from community members and interested parties fearing a name change that would lead to elimination of, or reduction of, recognition of the African American history of this area of the American River gold fields.”

At Friday’s meeting, the commission will also consider a process to find a new name and a research project to develop an education program at the recreation area.

If the name change is approved, the first step would be to temporarily change the name to Black Miners Bar Day-Use Area.

On Saturday, a Juneteenth commemoration event will take place at the site.

To see the original story and video on KCRA-Channel 3, click here.

$15.8 million Invested in Tahoe National Forest Projects

6/14/2022

Nevada City, Calif., June 14, 2022 — The Tahoe National Forest is the benefactor $11.2 million in funding from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) and $4.6 million from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)’s Wildfire Recovery and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program, for a total of $15.8 million.

“Together, this funding will help us to strengthen forest and community resilience,” said Matt Jedra, acting Forest Supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest. “We are excited to have the opportunity to attend to maintenance challenges associated with increased visitation, conserve forested land, and mitigate the risks of high-intensity wildfires.”

Across USDA-managed lands nationwide, GAOA-funded investments will address deferred maintenance, improve infrastructure, increase user access, and support rural economies while also meeting conservation goals. There are three Legacy Restoration Fund projects identified on the Tahoe National Forest for funding this fiscal year. These projects will realign trail segments and harden stream crossings on trails in the Granite Chief Wilderness, implement vegetation management in priority campgrounds, and renovate an essential public service center.

There is also one Land and Water Conservation Fund National Forest System Land Acquisition Project receiving funding on the Tahoe National Forest. The Martis Valley Headwaters land acquisition will help conserve over 7,000 acres of mature coniferous forest, chaparral, sagebrush scrub, montane meadow, and riparian habitat in the Truckee River watershed.
In addition, the SNC has awarded funding to two projects on the American River Ranger District. Approximately $2.6 million will go to the French Meadows Ecological Restoration Project to complete the last phase of mechanical treatments, protecting the headwaters of the American River from high-intensity wildfires. Approximately $2 million will go to the Nyack Fuels Reduction and Infrastructure Protection Project to remove hazardous vegetation and provide firefighting access to defend infrastructure and homes.

For more about the GAOA, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/gaoa.
For more about the SNC, visit: www.sierranevada.ca.gov

To see the original Press Release, CLICK HERE.

Exploring Big Trees Nature Trail - Mary West

6/12/2022

The Big Trees Nature Trail is a 1/2-mile loop through the northernmost grove of giant sequoias. The Big Trees Picnic Area is located near the trailhead. The trail is open for hiking only — no equestrian, bicycle or motorized use is allowed.

This short hike — or I should say, two hikes that can easily be done in an hour and a half — is more about the history and uniqueness of this park than for exercise. If you’re going to Placer Big Trees, it’s to see the northernmost giant sequoia grove. Placer Big Trees Grove is also the smallest grove of giant sequoias with six living trees. There are three grouped together in their teenage years 500 to 700 years old and a couple of individual trees. And frankly, two of the most impressive trees are on the ground. They’ve been down since the 1860s following a storm.

Although the hike is short, the drive to get there will take you some time but it’s worth it for a beautiful drive 25 miles east of Foresthill on Mosquito Ridge Road. The picnic and day use area have two trails, an inner and outer trail around the giant sequoias.

The park’s website tells you that the Pershing Tree is the most impressive. And it is, of the live trees. The Roosevelt Tree that’s been laying on the ground since 1861 is, I think, the most impressive tree in the park. The fact that it’s still hard as iron after all these years is impressive in and of itself and its size is hard to capture in a single photo.

To get there take interstate 80 East to the Foresthill exit. Take Foresthill Road to Mosquito Ridge Road, turn right. Take Mosquito Ridge Road 25 miles east of Foresthill to the entrance to the Placer Big Trees picnic area on your right. An interpretive brochure is available to make your self-guided tour more enjoyable.

CLICK HERE to see the original article and more photos in The Union newspaper.

Mary West is author of the book series Day Hiker – Gold Country Trail Guide I, II and III (2nd edition Available on Amazon). The books are a collection of the Day Hiker columns where West shares her longtime love of the outdoors, favorite hikes in Northern California’s Gold Country and beyond. West was the recipient of the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Award for Best Outdoor Column and the 2020 Craft Award for her second book in the series-Day Hiker Gold Country Trail Guide by the Outdoor Writers of California. You can follow West on Facebook and Instagram

Placer CO Supervisors approve $1.22 billion budget with $8.8 million in parks and trails projects

UPDATE: Vote 7-0 to rename Negro Bar to Black Miners Bar

$15.8 million Invested in Tahoe National Forest Projects

Exploring Big Trees Nature Trail - Mary West

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