All taken this week

UPDATE: Per Big Sur Fire: We received an update that members from Ventana Wilderness Alliance will be hiking out tomorrow morning [Sunday] first thing to try to retrieve the dog and clean up the injured hikers camp. The location is quite a ways in the back country (around 15 miles from Pine Ridge trail head) and might not be suitable for inexperienced hikers, especially in wet and cold conditions. Big Sur Fire Chief is in contact with the organization and the other responding agencies to assist any way we can with retrieval of the missing dog.

On Thursday, April 9th, Big Sur Fire responded to a report of a dead body at Sykes Hot Springs deep in the Ventana Wilderness. H70 lowered a Big Sur Fire EMT to the scene where the hiker was confirmed deceased. The scene appeared suspicious, so the area was secured until Monterey County Sheriff Deputies arrived.

On Friday, April 10th, Big Sur Fire was once again requested to respond to a medical emergency involving an injured hiker even further out at Cienaga Camp. H70 was once again utilized to extract the injured hiker. Unfortunately, the hikers’ dog could not be rescued at the same time. Anyone hiking in the area is being asked to keep an eye out for a medium sized brown and white German Shepherd mix named “Ruger.” The dog is friendly and will likely follow commands from anyone who approaches him. If you find Ruger, please contact Big Sur Fire, State Parks or Monterey County Sheriff for assistance. He was unable to be rescued as the helicopter scared him and he ran off. Rescuers could not locate him but left food and water.

A panel truck slammed into Granite Creek bridge this morning before flipping over.  Driver is fine…but the bridge is not.  A large section of the ocean-side railing is gone and the rest badly damaged. There will probably be one-way traffic for a while…..

April 10, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

RIO ROAD

RESURFACING PROJECT

PROJECT NO. 450002

The County of Monterey will commence the Rio Road Resurfacing Project between Atherton Road and

Birch Place on April 21, 2026.

The project is scheduled to take 2 days to complete.

Work Schedule:

April 22, 2026

• Removal of existing Striping on Rio Road between Atherton Road and Birch Place.

• Removal of damaged roadway surface & replace it with Hot Mix Asphalt in various locations

• Access to residences may be temporarily impacted during the construction hours

between 8:00 PM and 5:00 AM and should expect 10-minute delays.

April 23, 2026

• Placement of Micro Surfacing along the entire length of a Rio Rd from Atherton Rd and Birch Place.

• Access to residences may be temporarily impacted during the construction hours between 8:00

PM and 5:00 AM and should expect delays.

• Residents are encouraged to park in alternate locations in advance.

• Emergency access will be permitted through the construction zone as needed.

This project is funded by Measure AA, with an estimated construction cost of approximately $350,000.

Graniterock Construction is the prime contractor for this project.

For more information, please contact:

Billy Issa, Project Mana

FOREST ORDER NO. 05-07-51-26-03
USDA FOREST SERVICE
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
SAN CARPOFORO BEACH

OVERNIGHT CAMPING AND CAMPFIRE PROHIBITION
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and to provide for the protection of natural resources the following acts are prohibited in the Monterey Ranger District within the Los Padres National Forest. This Order is effective from April 8, 2026 through April 7, 2027.

The following acts are prohibited on San Carpoforo Beach, which includes all National Forest lands west of Highway 1 to the mean high tide line of the Pacific Ocean in Section 16, Township 25 South, Range 6 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, as shown on the attached map: [Ed note: I did not attach it as I think most of my readers know where it is]

1. Overnight camping. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(e).

2. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Any Federal, State or Local Law Enforcement Officer or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, including, but not limited to, 36 C.F.R. § 261.8(d), possessing a dog not on a leash or otherwise confined.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed at Solvang, California, this 7th day of April, 2026.

Jeanne E. Dawson
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest

The US Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) are facing severe threats from dramatic budget cuts, staffing losses of over 30%, and a policy shift toward energy and resource extraction. As of early 2026, these actions have resulted in the closure of research facilities, reduced emergency responses, and accelerated maintenance backlogs.

Key Threats to USFS and NPS (2025-2026):

• Staffing & Funding Crisis: The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parksreports an unsustainable crisis, with furloughs and layoffs hindering emergency services and visitor safety.
• Resource Extraction Prioritization: Executive orders have pushed for increased drilling, mining, and timber production on public lands. This includes actions affecting Bears Ears and other national monuments.
• Reduced Protection: Policies aim to reduce environmental protections and oversight, opening up to 88 million acres of public land to potential development.
• Research & Management Cuts: The USDA is considering closing multiple regional offices, and the US Forest Service is closing research facilities.
• Maintenance Backlog: Deferred maintenance for the National Park Service has grown to roughly $22.3 billion.

These threats are causing high staff turnover and threatening the long-term stewardship of national forests and parks.

1. Critical Staffing Reductions 

Since early 2025, both agencies have seen a significant loss of personnel, which experts say has pushed them to an “unsustainable” path: 

• National Park Service (NPS): Reports indicate a loss of approximately 25% of permanent staff since January 2025. Personnel levels dropped nearly 16.5% by May 2025 alone, a decline attributed to pressured buyouts, early retirements, and unfilled vacancies.
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS): In early 2025, the agency released roughly 2,000 probationary employees. More recently, in April 2026, the Alt National Park Servicenoted layoffs of another 10% of the workforce.
• Firefighting Shortages: Despite rising wildfire risks, approximately 4,500 Forest Service firefighting positions remained vacant as of late 2025.,

2. Structural Dismantling and Facility Closures

Ongoing reorganization efforts aim to centralize management and reduce the agencies’ regional presence: 

• Regional Office Closures: The administration has proposed closing all nine USFS regional offices—including those in California, Colorado, and Oregon—to shift responsibilities to distant “hubs”.
• Research Facility Cuts: In April 2026, it was announced that 57 of 77 USFS research facilities in 31 states would be closed. This includes shutting down six of the eight research centers in California.
• Resource Management: Efforts are underway to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which could open 58 million acres of forest to road building and logging. 

3. Operational Impacts

Advocacy groups like the National Parks Conservation Association warn that these cuts directly impact public safety and conservation: 

• Public Safety: Understaffing has led to slower emergency response times and reduced trail maintenance.
• Conservation Research: Specialized programs, such as those monitoring the Northern Spotted Owl, are expected to fail due to a lack of seasonal workers to collect field data.
• Visitor Experience: Visitors have reported overflowing trash, closed facilities, and an increase in illegal activities like unauthorized camping. www.thepostathens.com 

4. Extraction and Land Use Threats

New executive orders have directed the Interior Department to review policies to increase fracking, drilling, and mining on public lands. Center for Biological Diversity

• Leasing Rollbacks: Plans include reinstating oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and rolling back protections in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest.
• Ruby Mountains (Nevada): In April 2025, a proposed 20-year ban on oil and gas development was canceled, reopening 264,000 acres for resource extraction. The Wilderness Society +1

What can you do?

Here are the primary methods to fight these changes:

1. Participate in the Official Public Comment Process 

Federal agencies are required to follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which includes public comment periods for proposed rules.

• Submit Unique Comments: Use official channels like the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site or the Federal Register to submit comments. Unique, personal comments have a greater impact than form letters.
• Track Proposed Actions: Regularly check the “Schedule of Proposed Actions” (SOPA) on your local National Forest website.
• Focus on Substantive Issues: Identify legal deficiencies, incomplete information, or risks to ecological integrity in your comments. National Park Service (.gov) +4

2. Contact Congress and Political Representatives

Congress has the power to stop legislative changes, such as the “Fix Our Forests Act,” which aims to increase logging and limit public input.

• Oppose the “Fix Our Forests Act” (FOFA): Urge Senators to oppose this legislation, which limits public oversight, weakens the Endangered Species Act, and increases logging, according to conservationists.
• Stop Public Land Sales: Voice opposition to proposals aimed at selling off or privatizing public land.
• Support Funding: Advocate for full funding for the National Park Service to prevent staffing shortages and the reduction of vital roles. Cascade Forest Conservancy +3

3. Support and Join Advocacy Organizations

Many organizations work to monitor and oppose changes to USFS/NPS, providing resources to help individuals fight back.

• Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks: Represents retired and former NPS employees fighting understaffing and budget cuts.
• Outdoor Alliance: Monitors threats to public lands, including the Roadless Rule and the Public Lands Rule.
• Cascade Forest Conservancy: Active in opposing deregulation and logging in Pacific Northwest forests.
• Earthjustice: Frequently files lawsuits against illegal agency actions, such as the rescission of the Roadless Rule. National Parks Traveler +4

4. Direct Action and Awareness

• Spread Information: Use social media to raise awareness about the changes, such as the proposed relocation of the USFS headquarters and closure of research sites.
• Stay Informed on Local Impacts: For example, monitor specific threats to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 

Key 2026 Issues to Watch

• USFS Reorganization: Oppose the planned move of the USFS headquarters out of Washington D.C. and the closing of regional offices.
• Roadless Rule Defense: Support legal actions defending the Roadless Rule, which keeps millions of acres of forests wild.
• NPS Staffing Realignment: Oppose the reduction of “non-visible” staff (scientists, maintenance) in favor of visitor-facing roles, which critics argue is a form of, and strategy for, downsizing. National Parks Traveler +4

(Above portion of post created with Google AI)

The following was sent to me by a friend who used to work for the NPS and with BLM, so very attended to public lands issues:

They won’t leave anything alone in their scorched earth Project 2025

Trump admin proposing ‘catastrophic’ cuts to the National Park Service

The administration just announced a sweeping restructuring and it’s as bad as it sounds. Headquarters is leaving Washington D.C. for Salt Lake City. All nine regional offices are closing. More than 50 research facilities across 31 states are being eliminated. The regional system the agency has used since its founding in 1907 is gone.

In their place 15 political “state directors,” embedded with the same state officials and industry groups that have long pushed for more logging and fewer protections mirroring the Bureau of Land Management model that public lands advocates have fought for decades.

That puts 193 million acres (the largest public land system in the nation, bigger than Texas) under a structure designed for political access, not scientific stewardship.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz framed it as getting “closer to the forests.” What it actually does is gut the career scientists and independent oversight that stood between those forests and the people who want to exploit them.

Scientists won’t relocate en masse. Long-term studies, datasets, and research partnerships built over decades will collapse. Once that expertise walks out the door, it doesn’t come back.

The Forest Service was built by Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot to keep professional, science-based management out of the hands of industry. That vision is being systematically dismantled not with a bang, but with a press release. 193 million acres. Gone from federal protection in all but name.

Given the US situation, the economy, and the world situation, it might not be the happiest Easter, but try to find some joy today. Blessings to you in however you celebrate Easter or Passover or Spring.

I am always grateful that I had him in my life for 36 years.

This is from a member of the BigSurKate community. She shared it with me and wrote if I was so moved, to share with others. I offer it here. It resonates with me.. I hope you enjoy it.

I have loved your sharing your current social/political perspectives, including info on the No Kings marches.

My partner, Rags Rosenberg, is a songwriter and singer.

He has just completed a new song/video called “This Ain’t America!”

I would love to share it with you and invite you to share it with those you believe would resonate with it.

This Ain’t America Click here for the song and visuals

This Ain’t AmericaThis Ain’t America

Rags also has another song called “John Doe” that is on his website. You can listen at no charge. 

I think you, as a Vet, will find it particularly significant & meaningful.

Website address: ragsrosenberg.com

With much love and healing vibes in this challenging time,

Molly

First Strawberry of the Season, picked yesterday: