6:30 pm – I just spoke with Sherry Tune of the USFS and we discussed the problems with the brush work. She informed me that the contract provides for chipping up all the material left. She is aware of the problems created by this work and is addressing them. One of those problems is drainage. That’s one of the things I like about Sherry. She is accessible, and she really cares about being a good neighbor.
I have some photos I will be posting later today of the work that has been going on. I am going to avoid any editorial comments about the work, and let readers reach their own conclusions. I have no idea if a clean-up is planned, or not. Check back later this afternoon. I have a few things to do before I can upload the photos.
Here is one of the two mowers. I have a number of photos to upload, so will be posting one or two throughout the day, as time and internet allow.
Okay, the photo above, and the next few require explanation, so you know what you are seeing. This is the source of a spring along side the road. It is just above the end of the county portion of the road, and the road is not currently maintained by the USFS (it was last graded 10 years ago.) This spring, during the winter has a habit of breaking out over the road, and we have almost lost the ocean-side edge a number of times. Rock Knocker and others have done work to keep that edge as in tack as possible.
Locals did some road work here, and hand dug a trench, with a berm, to keep the water flowing on the inside of the road, and not across it, both above and below the spring. This is necessary to keep the water from scattering, going down the road and across it, causing erosion to the outside edge. That trench is now filled with debris, which must be removed before the first rains.
The photo above shows more of the trench and the debris filling it up.
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I anticipate your photo in a year or 2 - of the pines at least dying, if not already dead, or lying on the ground, across the road. What butchers!
The blades might need replacing; but those trees deserve a chainsaw. All in the name of saving money...Why not contract with locals to do the work? They know the area better.
Gee Gosh, those "Flail Mowers" leave a disaster area behind them.
I made the mistake one time to hire Torre to use their flail mower on Pfeiffer Point road sides, and no one liked the results, as it looked worse than tornado damage.
All under the name of fuel breaks or fire clearence.
The USFS did, at one time, use hand crews to maintain fuel breaks on Cuesta Ridge just North of SLO , but they hadn't identified that they were clear cutting while marching through a unique ridge top grove of Sergent Cypress.
Locals in the know pointed that out, work stopped, and the area was later designated some sort of Botanical Reserve. Come to find out the Sergent Cypress needed wild fire to open it's seed pods, to re-seed itself !
My vote would be for micro managed hand crews with chain saws and chippers .
Sorry but I have to say it: IDIOTS! There... I'm done.
BTW , Thank Goodness , for a person like Sherry Tune , in the USFS ,,, pardon the English , but Them People are Far and Inbetween !!!
"Smokey the Bear" loves you..
Keep up the good work ! !
I am saddened, but not surprised by these results. I have seen this rime and again...and not just on the coast, but here in Texas as well. It is a strange thing to see how these work crews do their work...they seem so detached from the environment they are in and just thrash everything. Are these USFS crews, or "town" crews? And that treatment of the pines allows for insect and disease infestation...a shame...
I am very disappointed in the quality of work. I requested a stop work order and it was honored. The Forest is working with the Contractor through the Contracting Officer to make this right. I appreciate your patience. Sherry
Thanks for your concern and care, Sherry. As I explained, one of the problems was that the blades were not sharp, and had not been maintained.