8:30 pm – the drift has spread out over the ocean and to the north. It is considerable. Here is a shot of it. That golden layer on the horizon is the smoke.
I have confirmed what I suspected, as I have been watching smoke drift all day, again today. On WildCAD-LPF
“07/16/2011 10:14 LPF-1692 Prescribed Fire FHL Training area 24”
The interesting thing is that the smoke drift has grown considerably since 3:00 o’clock this afternoon. I will continue to check it until sunset.
Thanks to Bert Ewling, editor of the Cambrian, and city editor of the SLO Tribune, for bringing this to my attention. There is a new fee in the State Budget that could significantly impact some property owners in Big Sur. This could be something that CPOA and the Big Sur Chamber might want to look into for its members.
Bert writes: “[P]art of the new state budget is a $150 fee per habitable structure on a parcel protected by Cal Fire, which it seems to me would affect large swaths of Big Sur (outside federally owned land and incorporated areas). Implementing regulations to be done by Sept. 1; fee to be assessed in the 2011-2012 fiscal year and ongoing ….”
Here is a part of the SLO Tribune article:
“Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed into law a $150 annual wildfire protection fee for property owners in rural areas of California, even as anti-tax advocates said they are prepared to challenge the way the Legislature imposed the levy.
The Democratic governor announced that he signed the bill, ABX1-29. to ensure rural property owners pay their share of the state’s wildland firefighting costs. The state has spent an average of $177 million a year for firefighting over the past decade, although the state is awaiting federal reimbursement for part of the costs in recent years.
Read more: SLO Tribune
Here is a part of the article from aroundthecapitol
“Existing law requires the state to have the primary financial responsibility for preventing and suppressing fires in areas that the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has determined are state responsibility areas.
This bill would require the board, on or before September 1, 2011, to adopt emergency regulations to establish a fire prevention fee in an amount not to exceed $150 to be charged on each structure on a parcel that is within a state responsibility area. The board would be required to adjust the fire prevention fee annually using prescribed methods.
The bill would require the State Board of Equalization to collect the fire prevention fees, as prescribed. The bill would require, within 30 days of the effective date of its provisions, and each January 1 thereafter, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to transmit to the State Board of Equalization the appropriate names and addresses of persons who are liable for the fire prevention fee and the amount of the fire prevention fee to be assessed by the State Board of Equalization.”
Here is the link for the rest of it:
aroundthecapitol
Here is a link to the text of the bill: ABX1 29
Here is the SRA map for Monterey County:
One good question Bert brings up is what would this mean to the private campgrounds and businesses that have numerous cabins/structures on the property? Or for properties that have a main house, a guest house, and a caretakers unit.Is this $150 for each structure? It appears to be. Are there set-offs for structures constructed out of fire-proof materials, or those who have sprinkler systems? Should there be? It seems to me that a blanket fee, without regard to the size, location, and construction materials, or other firefighting factors should be challenged. It is currently being investigated by the Jarvis Taxpayers Association and it made the determination that the “fee” is a “tax” that is subject to challenge. The governor says it is a fee for services. We should be watching this one – particularly businesses that have a lot of visitor-serving structures. Will it be applied differently to those businesses who have free-standing units, but not those in which the rooms are not separate units? I don’t know the answers to these questions, as I have not had the opportunity to study the bill.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not against this ff fee. I am more than happy to pay for the protection. (Ummm … that is reminescent of other “protection” fees) A blow-up of the Plaskett section of the map shows that indeed I an in the SRA. 😉
BIG SUR MULTI-AGENCY
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Congressman Sam Farr and Supervisor Dave Potter, Co-Chairs
FRIDAY, July 15, 2011 10:00 A.M.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Lodge Conference Center
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur
AGENDA
10:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER Congressman Sam Farr
II. ROLL CALL AND INTRODUCTIONS
III. APPROVE MINUTES OF February 11, 2011
10:15
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
10:25
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation from the U.S. Census Bureau
2. Rocky Creek Permanent Restoration Project – Steve Price
11:00
VII. REPORTS FROM MEMBER AGENCIES
(please bring written report)
Big Sur Resident Member
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
Coast Property Owners’ Association
Monterey County Planning Department
Monterey County Board of Supervisors
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District
California Coastal Commission
Caltrans
State Parks and Recreation
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
United States Forest Service
27th District, State Assembly
15th District, State Senate
United States Congress
12:30 p.m.
VIII. REPORTS FROM OTHER AGENCIES
1:00
IX. NEXT MEETING ON: October 21, 2011
(10:00 a.m. Pfeiffer Conference Room, Big Sur Lodge)
1:05
X. ADJOURNMENT
**********************************************************
BIG SUR MULTI-AGENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 11, 2011
47225 HIGHWAY 1, BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA 93920
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Assembly Member Bill Monning at 10:20 am. Role call and introductions were made. Attendees are: Alec Arago for Congressman Sam Farr, Assembly Member Bill Monning, David Meyerson for Representative Sam Blakeslee, Kathleen Lee for Supervisor Dave Potter, Mat Fuzie (State Parks), Sherry A. Tune, (USFS), Lance Gorman (Caltrans), Laura Lawrence (County Planning), Karen Grimmer (Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary), Kirk Gafill (Chamber of Commerce), Ned Callahan (CPOA), Richard Ravich (Resident of Big Sur), and Kathleen Novoa (Resident of Big Sur). Guests were: Sheriff Scott Miller and Bill Pearlstein (CHP).
PROCEEDINGS
I. Minutes:
• Minutes of October 22, 2010 approved as corrected.
II. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items:
• Pam Silkwood – “Great Balls of Fire” golf tournament to benefit Rancho Cielo to be held April 8th at Laguna Seca.
OLD BUSINESS
I. PG&E Condor Retrofit Project / Sherry Tune (USFS) and Mike Best (PG&E):
• The project to underground the Anderson Peak Tap Line that serves AT&T and FAA facilities will be done in 3 phases.
• California condors are colliding with the power lines; there have been fatalities. Bird diverters were installed, but there was a fatality shortly thereafter.
• AT&T and FAA have facilities at the top of Anderson Peak and need reliable service. The line starts at Julia Pfeiffer Burns and goes to the top of Anderson Peak.
• Alternative projects have been reviewed: underground the line; changing the power to solar with a diesel generator back-up; or a stand alone diesel generator to power the site. The underground option was chosen.
• The power line will be installed in an existing utility easement adjacent to an existing trench line occupied by AT&T that goes from Highway One up to Anderson Peak. A local contractor will be hired to do the work.
• Biological opinion (BO) states the project may affect condors, but not negatively, if the work is conducted during the nesting season. The project has an overall benefit to condors. The BO also requires the project to avoid Seacliff buckwheat.
• Currently in final stages of the environmental review, both NEPA and CEQA. Hope to start construction in August. Estimated cost is 4.2 million.
• Blaze engineering to do the work.
• Funds to construct the project come from Avian Protection Program.
• Mike Best responded to Mike Caplin that this is outside wilderness area and uses existing easement.
• Wendy Sarsfield commented that these monies are from Avian Protection Program, not undergrounding funds.
• Mat Fuzie thanked PG&E for their work as it has been most amicable.
• Asking for the community’s concerns, comments, and viewpoints.
NEW BUSINESS
I. Public Health Planning / Ray Bullick, (Monterey County Health Department):
• Monterey County Health Department is undertaking a Strategic Planning effort, in conjunction with federal health care reform, to find solutions to health problems in Monterey County.
• Looking for community input on where community wants to be.
• Previously used morbidity and mortality rates; instead, this planning effort addresses years of life lost due to causes of premature death.
• Life expectancy is 75 years; deaths at ages younger than that add to the years of life lost.
• Plan also summarizes racial/ethnic differences as well as regional differences in years of life lost.
• Education increases lifespan by providing options to a healthier lifestyle.
• By approaching healthcare as a community vs. treating individual illness/disease, healthcare costs will be reduced.
• Gang violence is a public health issue; hazardous roadways are also public health hazards.
• Bill Monning stated that as chair of the Health Committee, we know that approach to health care as a community is key. For Hispanics we know that 30% will be diabetic by 30, 50% by age 50, a function of poor diet and lack of exercise. Monterey County has twice the homicide rate per capita than elsewhere in the state. Accidents on Highway 101 and 1 are high fatality areas. The bypass at Salinas Road will help.
• Mike Caplin stated Rancho Cielo at risk youth are learning how to be productive members of society.
• Arden Handshy applauds efforts to address the issues. Wife is a teacher so she sees the issues first hand. #1 issue is too many people. People who are having kids they can’t support.
• Bill Monning noted higher literacy rate equals higher use of conscious family planning.
• Ray Bullick says studies show #1 deterrent to teen pregnancy is after school sports.
II. Update on Coastal Trail Project / Assemblymember Bill Monning, Noelle White:
• The purpose of the project is to establish a trail from the Oregon border to the Mexico border.
• The working group has met 7 times, many of which were on furlough Friday’s.
• Many agencies, local associations, and local businesses participate.
• Website construction is currently in progress to provide the community with updated information.
• The next meeting is scheduled for February 25th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm to finish the community proposal.
• Mike Caplin, Jack Ellwanger and Honey Williams stated these efforts are in memory of Cynthia Williams, matriarch of the Big Sur Coast who passed away several days ago and extended sympathy to Honey Williams.
• Mike Caplin stated that assistance from local government representatives has helped with negotiations with the Coastal Conservancy. Process started 3 years ago when Coastal Conservancy received money to start planning effort. The next step is to ask for approval of the planning process from the Big Sur Community on planning process from Carmel River to SLO border. Please sign up.
• Jack Ellwanger stated that the project started 8 years ago with resistance to allowing the community to decide where the trail should go. It is great to have the community start from the ground up planning process. It is very important for community to design, create and own the trail. This will be a great community-based project.
• Mary Trotter asked what the status was of the pilot project. She objects to that process because she feels it may prejudice where the final trail will go. Assemblymember Monning stated that no pilot project is being pursued; only a planning document is being pursued now.
• Dick Ravich wondered what the time line was; he noted that Lee Otter (CCC) is assisting.
• Fran Gibson stated that “Coastwalk” supports this community’s participation in the process.
REPORTS FROM MEMBER AGENCIES
Kathleen Novoa (Resident of Big Sur):
• Congratulations on the passage of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) by the Board of Supervisors; thanks to Supervisor Potter, Mike Caplin, and the CPOA.
• Pacific Union School District is reapplying for a special use permit for an interpretive trail.
• The Caltrans projects are proceeding down on the south coast and they are impressive.
Dick Ravich (Resident of Big Sur):
• The Firesafe Council has information on the CWPP.
• The NOAA weather alert transmitter is still alive and in progress.
• There was a meeting of the Broadband Consortium to review where broadband stands in the area. No grant funds were received under the Stimulus Funds. The County needs to facilitate the program.
Kirk Gafill (Big Sur Chamber of Commerce):
• Business levels in the hospitality industry are strong; the weather is a big factor. Other local businesses are doing well too. The Caltrans road work helps.
• The Big Sur International Marathon is being modified to eliminate the convoy process; they may close the entire road during the event.
• The Amgen Tour of California is returning in May; this may cause greater traffic impacts.
Ned Callahan (CPOA):
• He provided an open letter to Congressman Sam Farr on the Big Sur Unit Management Act (HR 4040) outlining the changes proposed by the CPOA. A meeting will be held on March 19, 2011 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
• They support the reintroduction of HR 4040 with the proposed changes.
• Acquisition and fuel management are central issues; affordable housing is ancillary.
Laura Lawrence (Planning Dept):
• Projects lists are available in the back; Kathleen Novoa says she appreciates the advanced schedule.
• Permit applications are down.
Kathleen Lee for Dave Potter (Monterey County Board of Supervisors):
• The Board of Supervisors (BOS) had a strategic planning session focused on the budget; they are still waiting for the state budget. The BOS is going into the process guessing what will happen. The BOS will hear input, but is not going to “cherry pick” projects; they will be looking at the County as a whole.
• The BOS is also dealing with other “fun” broad social policy issues such as the Rooster ordinance, Smart meters, and genetically-modified organisms.
• Margot Stengel from their office is extremely appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community after the passing of her son in Afghanistan. Assemblymember Monning adjourned the Assembly in his memory.
• Kathleen is now on the Board of the Monterey Regional Parks District. Jim Sulentich is the new Executive Director. Hopefully he will be at the April meeting.
Lee Otter (California Coastal Commission): absent
Lance Gorman (Caltrans):
• The Salinas Road project is moving along.
• The Basin Complex Fire permitting has been extended for two years; some netting in the Lucia and Limekiln Creek areas has been removed.
• Caltrans contacts for the following issues are: Dani Creek (Ken Dostalek); Signalization for projects (Shayne Sandeman); Landscape (Chris Griffin); Caltrans # (831) 372-0862.
.
• Jack Ellwanger requested that the speed limit through the Big Sur Valley be restored to 35 MPH; this will be agendized for the next meeting.
Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks: absent
Mat Fuzie (State Parks):
• Bids for the wastewater treatment plant have come in favorable.
• On March 2, the CC is having a meeting regarding the GP amendment for Point Sur; it takes the settlement with El Sur Ranch into account.
• $22 million in permanent reductions to State Parks; consequently, they are looking at service reductions in parks; the Garrapata and Limekiln areas will be affected.
• Proposition 20 did not pass because there is no support in the Inland areas of the state.
Bill Pearlstein (CHP):
• He state that closure of Highway for the Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) is not part of the plan this year; locking down portions of the highway is better
• Kirk Gafill stated that the BSIM needs to bring stakeholders together to address the closure issues.
• Honey Williams inquired about the need to fully close the highway because of an accident in Carmel Highlands.
Karen Grimmer (MBNMS):
• The MBNMS is having budget issues too; they are focusing their resources on larger projects.
• The construction of the 14,000 square foot Santa Cruz Exploration Center is underway.
• She provided a copy of the Sanctuary Office Report.
Sherry Tune (USFS):
• There will be a meeting on February 15th at 6:00 pm to discuss the Milpitas Special Interest Area Collaborative Management Plan.
• Because of the Los Padres Watch lawsuit, there is an injunction on road work other than emergency work. The lawsuit charges that the USFS is working off of an old biological opinion.
• The new King City office groundbreaking is in May.
• The FireSCAPE half day workshop is open to the public.
• They will be replacing toilets in the Kirk Creek area with vault toilets in order to comply with water standards.
• There will be no acquisition of lands this year; the closure of Plaskett and Kirk Creek campgrounds is possible.
• Conditions are dry now; the potential for fire is here now.
• They have received a Freedom of Information Act request for information on HR 4040.
Bill Monning (27th District, State Assembly):
• $25 billion deficit; state revenues have dropped over 30% Governor Brown has proposed $12.5 billion in cuts and $12 billion in new revenue through taxes. Cuts are proposed to adult day care and disability services. The media is underreporting the gravity of the situation. Tax increases are proposed for the June ballot; if they are supported, there will only be $12.5 billion in cuts. If they are denied, there will be $24 billion in cuts.
• The climb out of the recessive has been only moderate; not steep as it has been in the past.
• John Laird was appointed as Secretary of Natural resources.
• The coastal trail efforts are a bright spot and are achievable through bonds.
• Smart Meters have had a controversial roll-out; they use radio frequencies. No evidence of adverse medical effects from the thermal impacts of radio frequencies has been shown. Moratoriums do not have authority to block PG&E. Working with PG&E and PUC on opt-out options.
• There is progress being made on funding the Monterey County Veteran’s Cemetery; however, more fundraisers are needed. An endowment fund is being set up to bridge the gap with federal funding.
David Meyerson for Representative Sam Blakeslee (15th District, State Senate):
• Representative Blakeslee is on the E3 taskforce; E3 is the taskforce on energy, environment, and the economy. He is also chair of the Recovery, Reform, and Realignment Committee. He is also participating on the steering committee for Highway 156 along with Jason Burnett.
Alec Arago for Congressman Sam Farr (United States Congress):
• The federal budget is the same story as the state budget but with different details.
• Deficit spending discussion; what will the impact be on federal government in Big Sur?
• Federal budget is done in steps; plan then appropriations. There is priority of the new majority to make dramatic cuts in discretionary spending.
Next meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2011. The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 pm.
11:45 am – just got a call from Steve Dean of the USFS at Big Sur station and he has confirmed what I suspected. They had been doing a big control burn at Ft. Hunter-Liggett, and it is in mop-up mode currently. That solves that mystery. Thanks, everyone, and particularly Steve and Jo-anne for getting back to me so quickly.
11:30 am -I have had a number of inquiries about the smell of smoke down here this morning. I could smell it quite strongly earlier this morning. I have checked all my resources and can find nothing about a fire anywhere in Monterey or SLO Co.
There appears to be a bit of drift smoke to the south and east, but it is faint, and there are no visible plumes. I will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day, and will post if I find out there is a controlled burn at Ft. Hunter-Liggett, or anything else that might explain the two reports plus my observations.
Tonight, at the Henry Miller Memorial Library at 8 pm, the author of the just released book about the five monks who stayed at Tassajara to save the retreat from the Basin Fire, “Fire Monks” will be present for a reading and autographs of the book which was just released yesterday. Also present will be David Zimmerman for a slide presentation of some of the photos taken of this amazing and heart-warming event. He, as the director of the center, and four others stayed behind, without any professional firefighting back-up and saved the center from the devastating effects of this savage fire. I have had a link here for 3 years, to the right of those photos (but haven’t checked it in quite a while to see if it is still valid) – there are amazing, as were the challenges these five faced.
Just a word of warning for those affected by the Basin Fire: It is very moving account and I found myself reliving some of my own experiences of both the Basin and Chalk Fires.
Warning for the rest of you: It is a page-turner. Don’t pick it up unless you have the afternoon free. I read my copy last night and this morning. Wouldn’t have gone to sleep at all, but I was pretty tired and had a busy day today!
Here is a link to the book: Fire Monks
Continuing on to show some of the rest of the photos submitted for this last header contest:
Internet is being difficult. I’ll try to add a couple more later this afternoon. Gawd, it is gorgeous up here today – not too hot, and very distracting from work!
BTW, there are clouds building to the east and south of me. I’ll be watching this development until dark!
Possibility of thunderstorms down here the next few days, but not likely. I’ll be watching, of course, and let you know if I see or experience any. My internet has been tempermental, so if it cooperates tomorrow, I will upload more reader’s photos for your enjoyment!
From NOAA: “THE POTENTIAL FOR AFTERNOON/EVENING CONVECTION DUE TO SUB-TROPICAL
MOISTURE MOVING INTO THE SOUTHERN PART OF OUR CWA STILL EXISTS FOR
THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS SOME CUMULUS
DEVELOPMENT OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF FAR SOUTHERN MONTEREY AND SAN
BENITO COUNTIES AT THIS TIME. HAVE KEPT THE POSSIBILITY FOR
THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF SAN BENITO AND SOUTHERN
MONTEREY COUNTIES INTO THURSDAY AFTERNOON…ALTHOUGH THE CHANCES ARE
NOT GREAT.”
11 days – for 11 days, a group of dedicated professionals put their own lives and livelihoods on hold while they helped one of our own. I wish I knew all of your names, so I could honor you here, but I only know some that I recognized from the photos. But I also know, you did not do it for the recognition. You did it to help a neighbor in need. And because — that is who you are and what you do. I honor you. We all do.
Shortly after the Basin Fire ended, Coast Property Owners Association (CPOA) set out on a mission – a lofty, and difficult mission to raise the funds to help Don Case rebuild his home. His home was built in the 60’s, I believe, and the only one lost in this horrific fire that was not insured. And so, CPOA began a quest to help our neighbor, Don Case, and his family.
Mike Gilson, Dick Ravich, Butch and Patte Kronlund, Lisa Kleissner, and Ned Callihan, all the Board Members of CPOA, made it happen. Daily donations of lunch from the Big Sur Deli, courtesy of Kurt Mayer, gave all the volunteer carpenters what they needed to work all day. And Gabe Case is doing an extraordinary job as Project Manager.
The framing is done, and recent donations have made the installation of the roof sprinkler system possible. Everyone is on a break for about a month, but next is the installation of the doors, windows, and siding. Here are some photos by Joyce Duffy of Day 11, yesterday, Friday 7/1/11.
Never has the term, Namansté (I salute the divine in you) held as much meaning for me as when I was writing this post. I salute you all, and I salute a community who creates this kind of wonderfulness. I don’t know how I got so lucky to land here 26 years ago, but each and every day, I am thankful I did.
What better way to celebrate July 4th?? It’s not just a BBQ – It is a HOUSE RAISING!!
Here are just a few of the many activities lined up for this weekend, with thanks to Stan Russell of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce for compiling these.
Esalen Institute
International Arts Festival
July 2
http://www.esalen.org/events/artsfestival2011/
Henry Miller Memorial Library
July 2
Jackie Greene
http://www.henrymiller.org/events.html#jackie
Fernwood Resort
Honeymoon and the Jackie Green afterparty
July 2
Big Sur River Inn
Paige Too! Sunday, July 3 afternoon on the back deck
Treebones Resort
July 2
Sweet Mandarin’s Orange
http://www.treebonesresort.com/Events.php
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Activities
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has an active guided hikes, junior rangers and ranger cubs programs through the summer months. A series of activities for the whole family. Park day use fees apply for nature walks and daytime activities.
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/campfire-program.html
And for listing of upcoming events please visit our Calendar of Events page:
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/events.html#July
Regards,
