USFS closes 4 popular dirt roads in the South Coast of Big Sur

The three roads that people live on have suffered significant damage such that emergency responders cannot respond with needed equipment if there is a fire or other emergency. Additionally, every night there is at least one illegal campfire. Local residents applaud the order, which goes into effect today, 8/7 and remains in effect until Oct 19.

Given the nature of the comments I have received, I am turning off all comments for this post.

Covid 19 Community Meeting Report

Attendees (via Zoom): 20th Congressional District, State Senate District 17, 30thAssembly District, Cal State Parks, US Forest Service, 5thDistrict Supervisor, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, and the Community Association of Big Sur  Big Sur Chamber of Commerce:• Kirk Gafill reports that County Health Director Moreno is not connecting the surge of new COVID cases to tourists or other members of the traveling public.• That there is a great challenge in preventing the spread of infection occurring among dense living conditions where masks, hand washing and social distancing is hard to maintain.• Business in the community still remains off by about 20% off historic summer norms and that hospitality is working under the constraint of limited seating.• Barring any roll backs by the state, its anticipated visitor volume to maintain at least through Labor Day. Big Sur Health Center:Butch Kronlund for Executive Director Sharen Carey, reportsfor the Big Sur Health Center:• There are currently 9 positive cases of COVID-19 with an additional 5 symptomatic patients waiting on test results.• The Health Center has performed 27 new COVID tests this week bringing the total to 304 tests. Test results are available in from 3 to 7 days. • The majority of symptomatic patients present themselveswith a sore throat and a fever. USFS, LPNF Monterey District Ranger Tim Short reports:• Good news regarding recent COVID-19 impacts to staffing, all personnel have cleared quarantine and are back to work. Currently no C-19 cases among Monterey District personnel.• Tim thanked Butch for spearheading the effort to get the Cal Trans message boards operational. (Butch added that thanks for his excellent idea and Colleen Courtney’s outreach (on behalf of Senator Monning) to Cal Trans, we have electric signage at 3 locations with the message, No Campfires, Strictly Enforced. In addition, Sarah Hardgrave on behalf of Supervisor Adams announced that Adams is deploying funds to rent an electric message board for the Nacimiento Road with the same message. She is also requesting that Supervisor Lopez participate by placing a duplicate sign with the same message on the eastern entry point at Fort Hunter Leggit.)• Dick Ravich enquired about the status of the Community Fuel Break Project. Tim reported that some of the fuel work has already been completed and that further work, specifically on the North Coast Ridge Road was slated to begin.• In context with general discussion around the impacts of visitation to the Coastside dispersed camping areas, Butch read excerpts from a letter he received from Big Sur Fire Captain Marcus Foster regarding observations from Saturday evenings campfire patrol:  Marcus reports that on Prewitt Ridge on Saturday night, there were as many as 300 vehicles and 1000 people, over crowding available dispersed camping locations. This resulted in visitors driving their vehicles into closed areas with brush and high grass.  The roads were in extremely poor condition due to overuse as well as people trying to access these locations in 2 wheeldrive vehicles. After physically extinguishing multiple fires and preventing many more from being lit, Marcus and Trey made their way down the Nacimiento Road where many more people were illegally camping on the side of the Road. On the Highway heading north, the Patrol stopped and handed out educational materials regarding the County Ordinance banning roadside camping until they ran out of brochures. Then they were paged out to an illegal campfire in fron of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and shortly thereafter they went south to the Los Burros Road to respond to yet another set of illegal campfires called in by a concerned resident.  Encountering belligerent defiance, the pair called for back up from the Sheriff’s Department. It was reported that Deputy Villasenor used his loudspeaker to restore order.• This report from Marcus spurred a deep discussion around what each elected representative is doing to address the overuse, illegal campfire and the roadside camping issue, Rick Aldinger posed the rhetorical question “Where are we going with this? Do we expect our volunteers out there with their safety at risk?”• Sarah offered that missing in the discussion is input and buy-in from both Cal Trans and The California Coastal Commission. Butch to reach out to both and urged each elected to do so as well.• Katie reported that Congressman Panetta has met with USFS Chief Christainsen and relayed the data sets provided by CABS of the overuse of the Coastside dispersed camping areas of the Monterey District. The Chief did not commit to more funding to address these problems but Panetta is committed to continue to engage and elevate our concerns.• Colleen added that Senator Monning is very concerned over these reports and instructed Colleen to reach out to CHP Commander Foster and Cal Trans regarding the message boards.• CERT Leader Martha Karstens suggested that the LPNF close the Monterey District due to fire danger. BSF Chief Harris agreed thatclosing the Forest was a good short termsolution to the problem of inability to enforce the fire restrictions.• In response, PMC CEO Nathan Koontz reminded everyone of the negative impact of closing the Forest will have on the other Public Lands.• BSF Chief Matt Harris offered that it is in the County’s power to add teeth to existing State and Federal regulations, syncing up language and fine structures across jurisdictions, simplifying the Agency and Public’s understanding of what constitutes illegal activity and the penalties for engaging in that activity.• Matt also offered: In light of the recent LAFCO report and the language contained within it regarding Big Sur Fire remaining volunteer, for the near term, there still exists alternatives that need to be explored as a greater community, which will undoubtedly help address the changing landscape of the entire Big Sur Coast, as it relates to public safety, response and enforcement.• District Ranger Tim Short has proposed a Visitor Use Management planning project for Fiscal Year 2021 as part of the Los Padres Forest program of work that is being considered by forest leadership.”• Butch reported that he met with Rob O’Keefe with the MCCVB and discussed specific messaging that would discourage the overuse issues on the South Coast as well as dispersed camping areas. MCCVB to use their social media tools to do so and encourage their counterparts in Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo Counties to do the same. • Dominic Dursa suggested that Big Sur partner with other rural areas being heavily impacted by this sort of problem (Marin, Sonoma Coast, Yosemite etc) to brainstorm and provide a uniform message.• Butch suggested that a joint letter from Jimmy, Bill, Mary and Robert to Caroline Biteta at Visit California could be impactful. Fifth District Supervisor. Sarah Hardgrave for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.• Sarah screen shared the County Health Department dashboard showing where the County is in terms of the metrics driving our operational status under COVID.• 3 of 10 metrics are in the red.  These are: 14 day cumulative COVID incidence per 100k residents=297, Percent of Nursing Facilities with no new COVID cases in last 14 days=44% and 7 day average positivity rate of those tested=11.3%• The Board of Supervisors passed an urgency ordinance requiring mask wearing in the unincorporated areas of the County, aligning with the local cities and the State of California. Ca. State Parks, Monterey District Superintendent Brent Marshall reports:• That the Forest Service and Parks worked continuously to address the arrival of COVID-19 at the shared housing located at the MAF.• Park Rangers have issued 130 citations for various activities this month.• Responded to 5 medical emergencies.• And an additional 3 Agency assists. Parks Management Company, Nathan Koontz reports:• PMC senior management is witnessing historic visitation numbers causing them to adapt on a weekly basis.• PMC is working to educate guests and visitors and policing without resorting to calling for law enforcement.• The company is focused on combating COVID-19 by increasing frequency of bathroom cleanings and trash pick-up.   Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:• Much of Matt’s comments were expressed during the dispersed camping discussion above.• Additionally, BSF continues to respond to the usual vehicle accident calls.• There remains 2 more weeks of new recruit training at which point the recruits will be paired with seasoned veterans on call outs. Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:• CERT is actively seeking grants to fund additional training for its volunteers. Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Rich Popchak reports:• Since the last stakeholder meeting there have been two Volunteer Wilderness Ranger patrols (Boronda Trail and Kirk Creek Trail to Vicente Flat). • These patrols resulted in 7 visitor contacts, 8 pounds of trash removed, 7 campsites cleaned, and 3 inappropriate sites removed. • Today marks the beginning of US Forest Service-funded contract crew work on Pine Ridge Trail. Seven hitches are scheduled between now and November. Each hitch will be a 12-person crew deployed for seven days.  Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:• Unable to attend. 30th Assembly District. Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas.• Dominic announced that the Legislature is working on a $100 Billion relief package that has a fire mitigation component.  More on this next week.• In reference to the earlier discussion on meeting the visitation challenges Big Sur is experiencing, Dominic indicated that Assembly Member Rivas office has the ability to send out mass emails. He suggests that Agencies work together to craft a message.  17th State Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning reports:• Colleen made it very clear that the current problems with roadside camping and campfires is very concerning to Senator Monning. • And is looking to partner with Jimmy, Robert and Mary to see what other resources can be brought to bear on the situation. 20th Congressional District, Katie Moon and Phil Deppert on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.• Congressman Panetta is in Washington working on the next COVID-19 relief package.• He is also involved in the bi-partisan Replant Act that prioritizes a 10 year backlog of Forest restoration planting. Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:• Unable to attend.Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. EDreports:• The Sunday morning illegal roadside camping sweep revealed 168 vehicles using Highway 1 turn outs, from Mal Paso Bridge to the SLO county line, to illegally camp.• In addition, in the first 4 miles of the Los Burros Road, 25 vehicles associated with illegal camping and campfires were documented.• Butch anticipates being able to share a new data collection tool at next Wednesday’s meeting for use in documenting overuse and measuring progress in mitigating that overuse. Post Meeting Update:• At the request of the stakeholder group, Cal Trans has activated the message boards at Rio Rd, 101 and 46 and Highway 1 and 46 to read: No Campfires / Strictly Enforced• Supervisor Adams and Lopez have designated funding to support similar message Boards at either end of the Nacimiento Road leading to the USFS camping areas.• At CABS request, SEE MONTEREY is using its social media apparatus to get the message below out: August marks the beginning of peak fire season in California. Please remember to not start campfires in un-designated areas, leave no trace and DO NOT camp illegally. Let’s protect the land, residents and majesty of Big Sur. Thanks to all for the swift response!

Covid-19 Community Meeting

COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting NotesJuly 22, 2020
Attendees (via Zoom):
20thCongressional District, State Senate District 17, 30thAssembly District, Cal State Parks, US Forest Service, 5thDistrict Supervisor, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, and the Community Association of Big Sur 
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce:·      Kirk Gafill reports that Big Sur businesses are in crisis management mode as it relates to addressing the challenges brought about by COVID-19.·     2/3 of California is on the State watchlist, with uncertainty around messages emanating from Sacramento and Monterey County regarding metrics for continued business operations.·     Sacramento has decreed that local public schools will begin the academic year “distance learning”. This will have an impact on working parents.·     Currently visitation numbers are down 20-25%.·     In a positive outcome of the pandemic, Diana Ballantyne reports tobacco sales are off 80% at Fernwood.  Big Sur Health Center:Executive Director Sharen Carey reports for the Big Sur Health Center:·     There are currently 8 positive cases of COVID-19.·     BSHC has conducted 277 tests, 141 tests in July.·     Sharen is urging community members to wear masks, practice excellent hand washing hygiene, social distance and don’t panic if you or someone you know tests positive for COVID-19.  ·     When an employee tests positive, the employer is required to notify ALL employees that there has been a positive person identified, but the employer must also protect the identity of the person who tested positive. ·     The employer is also required to notify those who meet the threshold for close contact time with that employee to undergo testing and quarantine.·     In a small community like Big Sur, these twin responsibilities are very difficult to successfully accomplish.·      Under these circumstances, the person who tests positive is understandably stressed and those who may have come in contact with that person may feel apprehensive and even angry. Please keep in mind that a person who tests positive is not at fault. They deserve to be treated with kindness and understanding.  Big Sur has always gone beyond the norm to help neighbors in a crisis. This is no different.  We need to get through this by sticking together.USFS, LPNF Monterey District, Fin Eifert sitting in for Ranger Tim Short:·     With 28 employees in isolation due to exposure to a positive COVID-19 case, Fin reports that there has been a high level of communication and cooperation between State and Federal partners as well as shared learning between the Agencies. Every action that is taken is done so with an abundance of caution.·     Shared housing is being evaluated.·     Butch described an encounter with the team covering the quarantined crews. There were no masks evident and of course, in a crew truck, social distancing is impossible.  Others on the South Coast reported the same behavior, leading Butch to ask, “if these men get sick, who is covering for them, and how are you going to change this culture around masks?”·     Fin replied that he is acting immediately to address this problem.·     He went on to say he is thankful for being able to work with all those on the call and in the community.  Fifth District Supervisor. Sarah Hardgrave for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.·     Was unable to attend. Ca. State Parks, Monterey District, Big Sur Sector Superintendent Marcos Ortega reports:·      He, Katie, Phil and Butch installed the visual displays of the proposed wind turbineprojectoffshore of Big Sur at the MAF. 3 representative photos are located outside on the South East corner of the building with an array of different perspective photos located inside the MAF conference Room and available for community members to view from 9am to 4pm daily. There is also information posted on how to make public comments.  These turbines will be visible from our shoreline. The time to comment is now!·     Brent Marshall, Tim Short and Marcos are working closely together on the repercussions of COVID-19 and employees in shared quarters at the MAF.·     State Park Rangers are reporting unprecedented road side parking levels and working on traffic management solutions along with Agency partners.·     Marcos, Butch, Nate and Brian from PMC met earlier in the week to discuss contingency plans for sudden closures due to State mandates. Some additional signage may be employed alerting the public that Pfeiffer Beach is closed may be employed as a pilot project, to relieve congestion at the top of Sycamore Canyon Rd.·     Kirk expressed thanks for all the interagency cooperation and also asked for an explanation for maintain the Park Day Use parking at 50% capacity and continuing to keep the Day Use lot at JP Burns closed. Marcos explained that doing so makes it harder for the public to over crowd an area, violating social distance guidelines.  These policies are undergoing continual evaluation.·     Marco went on to cite the terrific job the State Parks staff is doing in dealing with this unprecedented time. All on the call acknowledged the challenges and expressed appreciation for their efforts on behalf of the Public and the Big Sur community.
Parks Management Company, Nathan Koontz reports:·     So far, no PMC employees have tested positive for COVID-19.·     Concurred with all on the call that the challenges USFS and Parks are experiencing are issues they are dealing with as well.·     Senior Management team are currently circulating to all PMC managed sites to evaluate Staff and protocols.·     Offered that if anyone sees something not right with Staff or Operations to get in touch with him or Butch who has a direct line. Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:·      Unable to attend.  Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:.·     14 member refresher training was held. Wonderful class with an exceptional Instructor.   Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Rich Popchak reports:·     Terrace Creek and Pine Ridge trails: Since the last call, there have been 3 outings involving 10 volunteers and 3 contractors (horse packers). The work was in preparation for the eventual reopening of the corridor to visitors (when it is safe to do so). ·     The purpose of two of the outings was to make the Terrace Creek Trail safe for pack stock to support contract trail crews (ACE). They will begin work on the Pine Ridge Trail on July 29.  ·     The third outing involved 8 volunteers. They packed in the components of two wilderness toilets which were assembled and installed at Sykes Camp. ·     A Volunteer Wilderness Ranger completed a patrol of the Silver Peak Wilderness. ·     Since the last report, volunteers donated 189.5 hours of service, made 34 visitor contacts (26 in the Silver Peak and 8 on Coast Ridge Road) and packed out 15 pounds of trash. 
Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:·     Unable to attend.
30thAssembly District. Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas.·      Assembly Member Rivas office continues to work on EDD cases for constituents.·      As of now, there is no extension of the Federal $600 per week supplement to EDD.
17thState Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning reports:·     Senator Monnings Office is working on a recent influx of EDD cases involving Big Sur residents.·     Legislature will be back in session next Monday in Sacramento.·     The Legislature and the Governor have come to an agreement on a Budget that features: $5.7 Billion in response to C-19, $85.6 million to Cal-Fire and $50 million for community power resiliency (wildfire prevention programs).·     The Budget notably did not cut funding for programs addressing Aging, Community based services, In home support services, Cal Work and Medical Optimal Services. 20thCongressional District, Katie Moon and Phil Deppert on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.·     Great American Outdoors Act, co-sponsored by Congressman Panetta, passed the House. May be a source of funding for local USFS lands.·     An analysis shows that in the 20thCongressional District, 6,621 businesses received PPP affecting the jobs of 82,000 people.·     Katie reported on the Wind Turbine visual installation at MAF and will issue a notification regarding public comment details on Thursday 7/23/20.
Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:·     Jesse calling in on his day off that illegal camping over the July 4thperiod was extreme.·     He reported that there is a general warning circulating among law enforcement to be extra careful due to concerns over social unrest. Officers in the County are doubling up.  Here on the Coast, all the Agencies with a law enforcement component provide mutual Aid to one another.·     During discussion around parking on the Highway issues, Jesse noted a distinct difference in Travelers who are just passing through and those willing to pay a Day Use fee and commit to a Big sur experience.
Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. ED:·     Efforts to gather data on impacts of illegal activities (Roadside camping, illegal campfires) continue. CABS is working on creating an interactive application that will simplify the data collection process. ·     Illegal camping along Highway 1 from Mal Paso Bridge to the SLO County line, Saturday night, shows a total of 115 car, truck, trailer, van and RV campers.

Notice to Big Sur Community from Big Sur Health Center

The Big Sur Health Center is committed to keeping the Big Sur community safe, especially during these challenging times with the COVID-19 crisis.
Now that the virus has been identified in Big Sur, we have received several reports of unkind behavior when someone has become infected. It is natural to feel some anxiety, but there is no need for panic.
It has been reported that employees are angry that the employer won’t reveal who the positive person is and they are afraid they might have been infected. This is a natural reaction when facing the unknown that holds such significant consequences.
At the health center, we have stressed to each concerned person that the businesses are taking all recommended precautions and following appropriate protocols to ensure everyone’s safety.
We are asking the business community to help us disseminate this information and help quell the panic that seems to be growing. We know you are required to send a notice to all employees as soon as someone has been identified as positive and we would like to suggest that the notice include the following:
1) Acknowledge that you are required to send a notice to ALL employees whether or not they are at risk for close contact.
2) State that you are REQUIRED to withhold the name of the infected person to protect their privacy.
3) Advise that all persons that meet the threshold for close contact have been identified, sent for testing, and told they must quarantine.  If you were NOT notified that you are a contact, you most likely are not at risk and do not need to be concerned.
4) Include some statement emphasizing that the positive person is not at fault. Contacts should be advised to adhere to the policy of protecting privacy. The infected person is already stressed with their own uncertain outcome and deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and understanding.  
Big Sur has always risen to the occasion during a crisis and gone way beyond the call of duty to help neighbors.  This should be no different.  We are in this together.
http://bigsurhealthcenter.org

COVID Community Meeting Notes

COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting Notes

July 15, 2020

Attendees (via Zoom):

20th Congressional District, State Senate District 17, 30th Assembly District, Cal State Parks, US Forest Service, 5th District Supervisor, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, and the Community Association of Big Sur 

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce reports:

  • Kirk Gafill notes, Ca. has resumed restrictions on indoor business activities, affecting Big Sur as well, with no clear guidance as to the duration of restrictions. (no sunset) 
  • This has hit the local Hospitality industry hard resulting in reduced income to employees. The Summer season contains key months for local Hospitality, with 40% plus of yearly revenue and 60% plus of profit for the year during that period. 
  • Diana Ballantyne observed that it has been 4 years (2016) since there has been an uninterrupted year of business activity.


Big Sur Health Center:

Executive Director Sharen Carey reports for the Big Sur Health Center:

Executive Director Sharen Carey reports for the Big Sur Health Center:

  • 6 individuals who work in Big Sur have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Of the 6, no hospitalizations. All are in self quarantine, at home.
  • 218 people tested, 27 of which were symptomatic.
  • Test results are unreliable.  A person can test negative and actually be infected.  An infected person can remain positive for weeks (after recovery) and yet no longer be contagious.
  • Test result turn-around times currently vary widely, from 3 to 10 days, due to increased numbers of individuals getting tested and labs being overwhelmed.
  • Recent findings indicate the virus is communicable via airborne droplets from normal breathing remaining in the air, not just through coughing or sneezing. Mask wearing is critical in stopping the spread of COVID-19 both inside and outside.
  • Recent data is also showing that those who have had the virus and have recovered, may not have long lasting immunity from contracting illness a second time.  Patients who recover may develop antibodies that disappear after a few weeks.

**New post-meeting information:  We learned at a 5:00 zoom meeting with Monterey County that all testing sites, including Big Sur Health Center, will be asked to follow new state guidelines and prioritize persons for testing due to the current high impacts on laboratories.  Close contacts of positive persons are of high priority.  In order to help us prioritize appointments, we are asking: If an employer has requested an employee to be tested please have your HR department FIRST notify BSHC with the name and why (ie contact or employment need, etc).

USFS, LPNF Monterey District, Tom Murphey sitting in for Ranger Tim Short:

  • There is 1 confirmed C-19 case on the Monterey District of the LPNF. This individual was in close enough proximity to potentially expose 28 other personnel.  All are now in self quarantine.
  • Sarah offered that there may be County help to support temporary housing for those in quarantine. (Motel stay)
  • District Office in King City is under lock down for 7 days.
  • Goleta Fire personnel will be providing back up cover.

Fifth District Supervisor. Sarah Hardgrave for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.

  • Sarah shared her screen with meeting attendees, highlighting the County website:

(COVID-19 | Monterey County, CA) displaying data that is driving the State and County response to the pandemic.

  • These charts reveal that Monterey County is exceeding the allowable incidence of positive cases per 100k of residents as well as positive cases in skilled nursing homes.
  • On the bright side, supplies of PPE, hospital capacity and ability to contact trace are all good.

Ca. State Parks, Monterey District, Big Sur Sector Superintendent Marcos Ortega:

  • Campground and all Day Use Areas are open, with Parks much busier on the weekends.
  • Lodge is also open and business is good there as well.
  • Marcos, Nate Koontz (PMC) and Butch Kronlund (CABS) to meet next week to discuss contingency planning for unexpected mandates to open or close Parks and the Forest.

Parks Management Company, Nathan Koontz reports:

  • All properties PMC manages on the Monterey District not as busy as expected.

Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:

  • Last weekend was very busy for BSF. 
  • 2 more cliff rescues but thankfully no wildfires.
  • BSF was only able to provide one patrol on Saturday afternoon/evening and encountered 1 campfire that crews extinguished and made numerous contacts with campers.
  • 2 more weeks left of fire academy training.

Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:.

  • Unable to attend. 

Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Mike Splain, ED: 

  • 7 VWA Trail Crew & Ranger volunteers contributed 98 hours on 2 coast-side trail patrols. Volunteers conducted brushing & tread-work, contacted 42 visitors, packed out 25 pounds of trash, dismantled 4 user-created fire rings, replenished “no campfire” signage, & installed a backcountry toilet at Estrella Camp.
  • The Scantron machine (to be used for tallying self-registration Wilderness Permit data) arrived at the Big Sur MAF today (7/15/20). The permit form is finalized & 100,000 copies have been ordered.

Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:

  • Unable to attend.

17th State Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning reports:

  • Unable to attend.

20th Congressional District, Katie Moon and Phil Deppert on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

  • Phil, Katie and Butch to install a display of the proposed wind farm off the coast of Big Sur at the MAF next week.
  • Federal PPP to end August 8th and $600 Federal supplement to State UI ends July 31st.
  • Congressional office available to help with SBA loans.
  • International students may now stay in the US to take online courses until schools reopen.
  • Panetta is working to reverse benefit cuts to the Cal Fresh program.

Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:

  • Unable to call in.

Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. ED:

  • Efforts to gather data on impacts of illegal activities (Roadside camping, illegal campfires) continue.
  • Illegal camping along Highway 1 from Mal Paso Bridge to the SLO County line, over Friday and Saturday night, shows a total of 212 car, truck, trailer, van and RV campers.  .
  • These numbers reflect a consistent disregard for the County ordinance against this activity.

Fireside Chat with Supervisor Adams

Wednesday, July 15, 20205:00 to 6:00 p.m.
CHANGE OF PLANSAs a result of yesterday’s changes to the State Stay-at-Home Order, Dr. Guss has had to postpone her conversation with Supervisor Mary Adams. 
This month’s Fireside Chat will now include an update on efforts to increase testing capacity by Elsa Jimenez, County Director of Health. You will also be able to ask any questions you have for Mary on County business. 
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/92951413496
Wednesday, July 15, 20205:00 to 6:00 pm
Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16699006833,,92951413496# or +12532158782,,92951413496#
Or Telephone:+1 669 900 6833+1 253 215 8782+1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 929 5141 3496
Supervisor Mary L. Adams | 1200 Aguajito Rd., Ste. 1Monterey , CA 93940Unsubscribe kwnovoa@mac.comUpdate Profile | About Constant ContactSent by district5@co.monterey.ca.us in collaboration withTry email marketing for free today!



Wednesday, July 15, 20205:00 to 6:00 p.m.Fireside Chats with Supervisor Mary L. Adams is a time to give and gain valuable perspective on the issues facing our community. This month I’ll be discussing the challenge of school reopening with County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Deneen Guss. Please join me. 
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/92951413496
Wednesday, July 15, 20205:00 to 6:00 pm
Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16699006833,,92951413496# or +12532158782,,92951413496#
Or Telephone:+1 669 900 6833+1 253 215 8782+1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 929 5141 3496ISincerely,Mary.
Fifth District SupervisorCounty of Monterey
Supervisor Mary L. Adams | 1200 Aguajito Rd., Ste. 1Monterey , CA 93940Unsubscribe kwnovoa@mac.comUpdate Profile | About Constant ContactSent by district5@co.monterey.ca.us in collaboration withTry email marketing for free today!

COVID-19 comes to Big Sur

***I have turned off comments for this post. It doesn’t matter which restaurant. Since this published, I have heard of several others, but not verified. Cars packed all parking lots and along both sides of the highway from Nepenthe to River Inn Saturday. Lots of out of state plates. Whichever businesses that did not have it before, will in the next few weeks. It will spread all up and down the coast as it has along every major artery along the east coast, thru the south and in the west and mid-west. As Sharen Carey says, “Assume it is here and act accordingly.” Now we know it is. Make your own choices for you, but always wear a mask for others.***

Big Sur went over three months without a single case of coronavirus. The quarantines, social distancing and masks had worked, but it couldn’t stay closed forever. The closure was taking its toll on businesses and employees. And so, like the rest of Monterey County, and the State of California, we opened in stages.

After restaurants were opened for indoors dining, a restaurant was informed by an employee that s/he had tested positive for the virus on Thursday. The restaurant immediately implemented all workplace exposure guidelines put out by the Monterey Health Department and notified them. The restaurant also told the employee to stay home until cleared by his/her health care provider.

Friday evening, a notice went out to all employees about the exposure. Testing was implemented on any employee who may have been within six feet of the employee for 15 minutes or more. Every guideline was met and implemented.

I contacted the manager of the restaurant for any further information early this morning, but he did not respond. I also contacted two other Big Sur businesses to see if the restaurant manager had provided any information to them, and neither was aware that COVID-19 had shown up in Big Sur.

I contacted Sharen Carey, Executive Director of the Big Sur Health Center who told me that there are currently two cases of COVID in Big Sur. Of course, due to privacy concerns, no further information is available about either case.

We will probably never know if this case was caught from a visitor outside the area, from a family or friend, or while in town. There are many variables that come into play. As Sharen Carey has been telling us for three months, assume it is here, and act accordingly. Implement social distancing, wear masks, and stay home if sick or high risk.

Sometimes, I have to wonder if I will ever get to visit my favorite Big Sur places again. I miss them, and my friends. I don’t think being a hermit becomes me.

For insight into other rural “gateway” communities facing this pandemic and the need to open to survive, see: https://apple.news/AbuEvWMmXRF6ojpYwSmK8fA\

 

Wildfire in the time of Coronavirus

How is fire fighting different during a pandemic. I explore that today in my article published in Voices of Monterey Bay about firefighting, the Plaskett fires, and our pandemic. Here are the first few paragraphs. One can go here: https://voicesofmontereybay.org/2020/06/26/wildfire-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/ to read the rest of it.

Photo by Brendon Shave

FEATURED

By Kate Woods Novoa

I’ve been following wildland fires since I moved to the Big Sur backcountry in 1994 and survived my first close encounter in 1996. Big Sur has had a lot of fires since then, and I’ve closely monitored them all. But I had a new fire experience earlier this month that I hope never happens again: two fires in two weeks along the road leading to my house.

The first, on June 3, was called the Plaskett Fire and was caused by humans. The U.S. Forest Service says it is under investigation. The second, the Ridge Fire, started June 17. They were both put out quickly, but before describing how, I want to talk about the science of firefighting first.

I have studied the language of firefighting in my online interactions. Every year, I am immersed in the wildland fire culture in person and online. Fire is why I first learned how to blog and has been an all-consuming summer unpaid occupation for 12 years now, as more and more people use the backcountry, some of whom don’t have a clue about the dangers.

Read the rest. Go to Https://voicesofmontereybay.org

Community COVID -19 meeting

COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting Notes

June 17, 2020

Attendees (via Zoom):

20th Congressional District, State Senate District 17, 30th Assembly District, Cal State Parks, US Forest Service, 5th District Supervisor, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, and the Community Association of Big Sur 


Big Sur Health Center:

Executive Director Sharen Carey reports the Big Sur Health Center:

  • There are still no known cases of COVID-19 in the Big Sur planning area.
  • The State has relaxed some restrictions resulting in allowing some patients to resume preventative and elective visits to the Health Center.
  • Is making testing available to all MEMBERS of THE BIG SUR COMMUNITY emphasizing employees of Big Sur businesses. There are currently a few employees per day being tested at the Health Center. 
  • The testing is conducted in a “drive up” setting meaning that the individual being tested does not enter the building. 
  • Bottom line defense against contracting the virus: Assume it is in Big Sur and take all precautions recommended : wearing facemasks in public, social distancing, frequent handwashing.

Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris:

Chief Matt Harris reports Big Sur Fire:

  • A fire broke out on Plaskett Ridge just prior to the start of our Zoom meeting. Chief Harris was otherwise engaged and unavailable to participate.

Fifth District Supervisor. Sarah Hardgrave for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.

  • That BSMAAC meeting will be held as a Zoom call on Friday, June 19th from 10am to noon.
  • Supervisor Adams continues to conduct virtual office meetings with the goal to help people understand what is required from the hospitality business and travelers coming to our County.
  • That there are some red flags regarding the 14 day  metrics of County wide infections per 100k residents (110) and percentage of those tested that are positive for Covid-19 (8.6%) but that hospital ICU capacity and skilled nursing availability are good.
  • June 19th, personal care providers can resume business activities if they follow State guidelines.  Those services include massage therapy, nail salons and tattoo parlors. 
  • Sarah also shared that Yuri Anderson has been instrumental in getting COVID-19 testing available at MPC and keeping it available for Peninsula residents. Thank you Yuri!
  • Rick Aldinger asked for some clarification from the County on protocols and clear guidance regarding conducting weddings. He is requesting that Supervisor Adams office issue some specifics.  Sarah replied that Mary and Supervisor Phillips are heading up this category of business reopening and will follow up.
  • Butch observed that with our Resident Sheriff on vacation last week, the situation at Bixby, let alone the South Coast has again begun to be chaotic. Compounding this issue is the fact that the emergency road side 911 phone at Bixby is inoperable.  As this is a County OES responsibility, Butch asked Sarah to please get them on the case to fix it. She’s on it.

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce reports:

  • Kirk Gafill reports that nearly all businesses in Big Sur have been allowed to reopen. Some are choosing to do so based on their own internal timing with the large Inns and Esalen slated to all be open by mid-July, if not sooner.
  • Although open, each business in the hospitality space has stringent guidelines and mitigations to contend with in order to remain open. This will result in a higher cost structure to meet the higher standard of best practices required by State Health Officials. Kirk  Is expressed concerns with the sustainability of the current situation.
  • Rick thanked Phil Deppert and Katie Moon (Congressman Panetta), Dominic Dursa (Assembly Member Rivas), and Sarah Hardgraves (Supervisor Mary Adams) for continuing to participate in our weekly calls. Our Elected Representatives play a huge role in shaping our lives and businesses in Big Sur. 

Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:.

  • Martha reported from Chews Ridge fire look-out, in real time, the start of the second fire in 2 weeks on Plaskett Ridge.
  • Live Training concludes Saturday. 17 community members will have completed basic CERT training and will be available if needed.

USFS, LPNF Monterey District, Tom Murphey sitting in for Ranger Tim Short:

  • Group sites at the developed campgrounds opening this weekend. Limited to 10 or fewer people.
  • The Forest Order closing the dispersed camping areas expired June 14th.
  • When asked, Tom reported that the LPNF is approximately 1.75 million acres over 5 Districts, with 3 USFS Law Enforcement Officers. The Monterey District, at 325k acres has 0 USFS LEO’s dedicated to patrol.  

Ca. State Parks, Monterey District, Big Sur Sector Superintendent Marcos Ortega:

  • Pfeiffer State Park successfully reopened for Day Use with the campground slated for reopening on June 29th.
  • Big Sur Lodge reopening on June 18th.
  • During the month of May, Parks issued 263 citations for violations like illegal camping and trespassing.  In 2019, by comparison, 79 citations were issued. So far in June, Parks has issued 50 citations and hundreds of verbal warnings.
  • The seasonal Bridge to be installed at Andrew Molera this week. The Bridge near the softball field in the Park goes in next Wednesday.

Parks Management Company, Brian Cushman, CEO:

  • Confirmed that group sites were opening at the developed campgrounds.
  • Lime Kiln campground having a limited soft opening on Saturday the 20th of June.
  • Early soft openings to work out bugs around social distancing protocols.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Mike Splain, ED:

  • Between 6/10 & 6/16, 7 Volunteer Wilderness Rangers contributed approximately 100 hours on 4 patrols into the Ventana & Silver Peak Wilderness, all on coast-side trails. One week-long patrol is still underway, but so far reports include 26 visitor contacts, 7 pounds of trash packed out, & 17 fire rings cleaned or removed. Other patrol focuses were graffiti removal & posting / replacing no campfire signage.
  • Thanks to the USFS, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, the Nepenthe/Phoenix donor-advised fund at the CFMCO, & CABS, the pilot self-registration Wilderness Permit system is fully funded & expected to launch by Labor Day weekend.

Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:

  • Esalen is targeting July 5th opening.
  • Does not yet have a timeline for allowing local bathing.

17th State Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning:

  • Unable to call in.

20th Congressional District, Katie Moon and Phil Deppert on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta. 

  • Panetta is working with other Congress Members to increase funding for wild fire preparedness and infrastructure maintenance in our Forests.
  • On June 15th introduced legislation for tax credits for small business reopening.
  • Katie and Phil provided some background on the upcoming BSMAAC presentation on the wind turbine project proposed for Federal waters off the coast of Big Sur.

30th Assembly District, Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas:

  • EDD constituent service is a major focus of the Assembly Members office.

Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:

  • Unable to call in.

Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. ED:

  • The Draft Sustainable Destination Stewardship Plan for Big Sur is now available for review and comment on-line: bigsurdsp.com
  • COVID-19 relief effort has assisted 111 Big Sur Families. 137 checks totaling $152,400 distributed. A final tranche of financial relief is anticipated to go out next week.