COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting Notes
July 8, 2020

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 reports:
• Kirk Gafill reports that today’s big story is the State Order effective today and lasting at least 3 weeks: Indoor dining is no longer allowed but dining with outdoor seating and to-go orders are.
• Area businesses are seeing a reduction in number of traveling guests.
• Both Ventana Big Sur and Post Ranch Inn are on track to open mid-month. Those properties to only be open to registered guests and not the general public.
• Diana Ballantyne reports a dramatic decrease in restaurant business but campground is full.

Big Sur Health Center:
Executive Director Sharen Carey reports for the Big Sur Health Center:
• 4 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Big Sur.
• 179 people tested, 23 of which were symptomatic.
• Prior to opening, Staff at the Big Sur Park School were tested, (None symptomatic). Normally, the testing lab promptly notifies the Health Center, even over the weekend, if a test comes back positive, but in this case, that did not happen. After beginning the first day of school, 1teacher was notified of a positive test which resulted in closing the school again. All the Teachers and 3 students are now in 2 week quarantine. All are currently asymptomatic as of 7/8/20.

Fifth District Supervisor. Sarah Hardgraves for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.
• In expectation of an adjustment in business operational status mandated by the State, Supervisor Adams has been in contact with Chamber members over the weekend in order to give them adequate time to prepare.
• Sarah went on to provide an update on the status of Hospital capacity, PPE, infection rate and other metrics influencingMonterey Co.’s C-19 status. Supplies are currently adequate.

Ca. State Parks, Monterey District, Big Sur Sector Superintendent Marcos Ortega:
• The State Order closing Beaches over the 4th of July weekend caught Parks, PMC and USFS off guard and resources scrambled to adapt.
• Locally, Parks implemented a soft closure at Molera and Garapata due to not enough manpower to implement the full Order.
• Going forward Pfeiffer State Park will limit Day Use to 50% capacity with some campsites closed due to proximity of neighboring sites.
• Keeping JP Burns parking lot closed to try and prevent crowding at the McWay Falls overlook. Monitoring the situation while searching for a solution to the issue of social distancing.
• Marcos reports that Rangers wrote 132 citations in June for various infractions with 24 citations written to date in July.

Parks Management Company, Nathan Koontz reports:
• PMC was surprised by the State Order closing Pfeiffer Beach on Friday 7/3/20.
• Due to staffing issues, PMC was unable to manage either the top of Sycamore Canyon or the closed lot at Pfeiffer Beach resulting in illegal parking and trespass at PBDUA.
• Sunday, the CEO of PMC spent most of the day turning vehicles at the top of Sycamore Canyon, greatly reducing the consequences of the closure. Vows to do better.
• Agency partners CA.Parks, PMC and the USFS and CABS to meet later this week to create a contingency plan to manage this area in the event of sudden changes in operational status.

Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:
• BSF was had 1 call out for a motorcycle crash making it a relatively quiet 4th of July weekend.
• Volunteer patrols successfully engaged with campers at the dispersed camping areas on the South Coast Ridges, extinguishing 7 campfires and preventing 6 more from being started. (USFS Patrol cited the 7 who had already started their fires). These patrols occurred Friday and Saturday evening off the South Coast Ridge Rd.
• Big Thank You to Cal Trans for activating the message boards informing the public that fireworks are illegal in the Forest Lands.

Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. ED:
• Over the 4th of July weekend, CABS members conducted a detailed survey of illegal roadside camping from Mal Paso to the County line and illegal campfire activity on the South Coast Ridges that allow dispersed camping as well as sections of County road where both camping and campfires are illegal.
• The Team went out either very early morning (4;30am) or in the evening (after 8;30pm) to gather data on illegal behavior.
• Through Zoom screen sharing, Butch showed 3 pages of representative data on spreadsheets as well as a google earth screen shot showing locations of active campsites with evidence of recent or active open fires evident. A summary of that data below:
• Over the 3 days of data collection there was a cumulative:
• 57 illegal campfires on the South Coast Ridge, PlaskettRidge and Los Burros Rds.
• 198 illegal roadside campers in turn outs between Mal Paso Creek Bridge and the SLO County line on Highway 1. Field verified with GPS coordinates, photos when possible and license plate numbers. Roadside campers adjacent Kirk Creek and Plaskett campgrounds were not counted.
• Butch went on to express sincere gratitude to BSF and the USFS for their patrol efforts but wanted all on the call toknow that the scope of the illegal activity was far more widespread than previously acknowledged.
• Phil, Katie and Colleen to be given copies of the collected data sets once it can be collated into a narrative.

Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:.
• Final Gloves on training occurred last weekend resulting in 17 newly minted CERT members.
• Upcoming trainings include a refresher for prior CERT members and a Red Cross CPR class. TBA.

USFS, LPNF Monterey District, Fin Eifert and Tom Murphey sitting in for Ranger Tim Short:
• This past weekend was chaotic due to the Governor’s Order to close the Beaches on the 3rd of July.
• Nonetheless, there were type 3 Engines on patrol and a 20 person hand crew available to respond to any short notice issue.
• Fin made the point that everything about the COVID-19 crisis makes operations difficult. He recognized that communication is critical and he intends to continue to work with partners to improve response.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Mike Splain, ED:
• VWA volunteers report that backcountry & front-country use of public lands is extremely high & that the need for agency enforcement resources (especially in front-country / car-camping areas) is critical. Volunteers have USFS-compliant radios & have been immediately reporting fire violations to Los Padres Dispatch.
• Between 07.01 & 07.08.2020, 9 volunteers conducted 3 patrols & 1 trail outing, contributing 105 volunteer hours repairing trails, replacing signage, contacting visitors, & packing out trash & toilet paper. Volunteers made 33 visitor contacts, packed out 4 pounds of trash, & dismantled 4 user-created fire rings.
• One patrol encountered a smoldering campfire along Cone Peak Road, which was extinguished & reported to LP Dispatch & local FS fire stations. A stockpile of firewood was dispersed to prevent repeat of the offense.
• Volunteer work continues on the Pine Ridge Trail, with (American Conservation Experience, aka “ACE”) contract crew work resuming at the end of July. VWA-supervised CalFire crews will restore a trail in the Arroyo Seco region later this month as well. Special COVID safety precautions will be observed.

Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:
• Esalen is hosting some 2 day friends and family visits to test out their COVID-19 operational protocols.
• Esalen is exploring a phased reopening in July and August pending staffing and safety review of friends and family visits.
• No update yet on community bathing.

17th State Senate District, Colleen Courtney for Senator Bill Monning reports:
• The state capitol building has closed due to an outbreak of COVID-19 affecting legislative staff members.
• Legislators will not go into live, face to face session next week as planned.
• Colleen requested to be included on the California Coastal Trail meeting next week!
• Senator Monning sends his best to all.

20th Congressional District, Katie Moon and Phil Deppert on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
• Trump administration making noises about oil and gas leasing off the California coast again. A Ca. delegation of legislators is working to prevent that from happening.
• Announced that the PPP legislation is being extended through August 8th allowing more businesses access to tothese funds.
• Katie, Phil and Butch to work on installing a public display on the Offshore Wind Project at the MAF next week. Display to remain in place for a month so that Big Sur community members can get a sense of the visual impact of the project.
• Last week, Katie provided links for public comment on the Wind Power project and the South Coast surveillance tower project.

Offshore Wind
• The attached Notice of Availability contains instructions for public comment:
• “The CEC encourages use of its electronic commenting system. Visit
• https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Ecomment/Ecomment.aspx?docketnumber=17-MISC-01, which links to the comment page for this docket. Enter your contact information and a comment title describing the subject of your comment(s). Comments may be included in the “Comment Text” box or attached in a downloadable, searchable Microsoft® Word (.doc, .docx) or Adobe® Acrobat® (.pdf) file. Maximum file size is 10 MB.
• Written comments may also be submitted by email. Include the docket number, 17- MISC-01, and Offshore Renewable Energy in the subject line and send to docket@energy.ca.gov.
• If preferred, a paper copy may be submitted to:
• California Energy Commission
• Docket Unit, MS-4
• Re: Docket No. 17-MISC-01
• 1516 Ninth Street
• Sacramento, CA 95814-5512”

CBP Surveillance Tower
• Upon learning of the CBP Tower proposal in May, Rep Panetta convened a meeting between elected officials and Coastal Commission staff to ask questions about the CCC process for review and request that CCC allow for a public comment period. In response, CCC pushed the decision deadline back to July 15, 2020 to allow for more time to hear concerns and work on the submittal. To make a comment, residents or any member of the public can contact Mr. Larry Simon:
• Larry Simon
• Manager, Federal Consistency Unit
• Energy, Ocean Resources and
• Federal Consistency Division
• California Coastal Commission
• 45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000
• San Francisco, CA 94105
• (415) 904-5288
• larry.simon@coastal.ca.gov
• http://www.coastal.ca.gov
• Update from South Coast LUAC Member Connie McCoy:
• At the June 24 Planning Commission meeting, a quick update on the CBP proposal was given as to what had transpired since the May 12 South Coast LUAC meeting and May 27 Planning Commission meeting.
Because of public input, CBP has agreed to push the date for the Federal Consistency Unit to September 15. They also are considering a new design for the tower and a new location.
• The Federal Consistency Determination Unit and the County are still trying to bring CBP back to another South Coast LUAC meeting, but so far CBP has resisted.

30th Assembly District, Dominic Dursa for Assembly Member Robert Rivas:
• The Assembly has over 200 Senate Bills to complete.
• Assembly Member Rivas office will help with Unemployment claims for constituents who need it.

Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:
• Unable to call in.

3:15 pm — FHL PIO says it looks like they have it under control, but not expected to open Jolon before 4:30

3:10 — just found out the area is the ASP Alongside of Jolon, which is where they store all the ammo for training. Great place to have a fire. No wonder they closed Jolon in both directions. However, I am also informed there is a fire break all the way around the ASP.

2:30 — There was a controlled burn on FHL today, but this one is not in the same area. There is a fire at/near Jolon and Mission, and they are halting traffic in both directions on Jolon Rd. Tankers 74 & 75 as well as A/A out of Paso Robles have been sent to it. Fires on base have been notoriously difficult to get info on, although I will call later if needed.

Incident: 00068 Type: Report of Fire Location: Crg14 / Sam Jones Rd Loc Desc: ***CONTROLLED BURN*** JOLON Lat/Lon: 35.942209 -121.131134

Detail Information
1:59 PM	1	[2] RP RECALLED AND THEY ARE STOPPING TRAFFIC ON JOLON IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AT MISSION

Monterey County has been notified by the California Department of Public Health that a health order imposing certain business sector restrictions is now in place. This order takes effect today, July 8th and will remain in effect until three weeks after the County no longer exceeds the state thresholds. For more information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy, visit http://www.mtyhd.org/covid19

The FHL Fire Department will again be conducting a prescribed burn in TA 22 (MPRC Shooting Range). Crossroads: Mission and Jolon Roads (back to River Road). Smoke and flames will be visible by those traveling on Jolon Road. Start time will be approximately 10 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.

COVID-19 Community Response Group Meeting Notes

July 1, 2020

Attendees (via Zoom):

20^th Congressional District, State Senate District 17, 30^th Assembly District, Cal State Parks, US Forest Service, 5^th 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 for the Big Sur Health Center:

• 2 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in Big Sur.
• As of 6-30, 111 people have been tested at the Health Center.
• Following Monterey County guidance, Big Sur Health Center policy will be to not release any specifics around any positive COVID-19 cases in Big Sur.
• Sharen encourages the Big Sur community to wear masks in public, maintain social distancing, frequently wash your hands and above all, be kind to one another.

Big Sur Fire, Chief Matt Harris reports:

• That last weekend (June 25-26) was very busy and this 3 day weekend (July 3-5) is expected to be even more busy.
• Starting Thursday night and going through this weekend, BSF will be patrolling the South Coast Ridges and the Nacimiento Rd for illegal campfires. Personnel from BSF will be in uniform, driving BSF vehicles and providing educational guidance and requesting those with fires to extinguish them. BSF does not have authority to cite illegal activities but can call for LE back up if needed.
• CABS Ed Butch Kronlund commended Matt and the volunteers at BSF for their commitment. Pointing out that unfortunately this is a necessary step in the short term and that this level of commitment is not sustainable without some type of financial subsidy for this service. 

Fifth District Supervisor. Yuri Anderson for Supervisor Mary Adams reports.

• As of today (July 1) Ca. Governor Newsom has rolled back the COVID-19 status of 19 Counties affecting indoor services.  Monterey County was not one of those Counties.
• Although Monterey County has reported 3 days in a row of increasing infections, PPE at nursing facilities and ICU Hospital beds are currently sufficient.
• As of now, no announcements changing Monterey Counties current status are expected.

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce reports:

• Kirk Gafill declared that COVID-19 is real in Big Sur. 
• BSHC ED Sharen Carey is a great resource for Businesses in Big Sur grappling with responding to a positive case of C-19.  
• BSHC is playing an important role as a convenient testing location and was helpful with Nepenthe’s response plan.
• Kirk went on to say that having the required response plan in place was instrumental in minimizing the potential spread of infection.  The process worked as intended leading to quick contact tracing, disinfection of any possible contamination and quarantine of any co-workers who test negative but who were in close proximity for the proscribed period of time as outlined in CDC and Monterey County Health Department guidelines.
• Kirk also reported that both Post Ranch and Ventana Inn are expected to be open by mid July.
• Diana Ballantyne reported that folks are welcome to sit down and order food and drinks from the Grill but that Bar seating will be closed and live music is cancelled.
• The campground is open and doing well.
• Watching C-19 developments closely and working to keep everyone safe.
• Rick Aldinger pointed out that part of the Governor’s latest mandate includes law enforcement at the local level utilizing Cal OSHA, Alcoholic Beverage Control and the State Health Department to oversee and make sure protocols are being followed at businesses statewide.
• Rick also reported that the Hospitality community is very concerned that Monterey County could join, at some point, those counties who have regressed in status or be added to the State watchlist, leading to potential restrictions in the ability to remain open for business.
• MCHA is putting together a campaign aimed at 2 audiences stressing the right protocols.

Community Emergency Response Team, Martha Karstens:.

• Final Gloves on training occurred last weekend resulting in 17 newly minted CERT members.
• Upcoming trainings include a refresher for prior CERT members and a Red Cross CPR class. TBA.

• USFS, LPNF Monterey District, Tom Murphey sitting in for Ranger Tim Short:
• Tim Short, in response to resident requests for more boots on the ground reported via email…
• Hi Butch and partners,
• We share your concerns with fire risk, and the busy upcoming holiday weekend.  Unfortunately,  neither the funding from violation fines, or suppression costs are available for funding support of employees, except for those engaged in suppression activities.   Following are some insights into ongoing planning and actions using available resources.
• Within our annually appropriated funding, coordination has been underway to maximize Forest Service field presence with existing district fire personnel.  These personnel, and qualified forest protection officers will be patrolling and enforcing the Forest Fire Restrictions.  Our field employees will be working extended shifts from 0930 to 2200 through the holiday (Friday and Saturday).  Some employees will be working days off to provide this extra coverage.
• This includes two patrol units (light brush engines), five Type 3 engine modules and one 20 person hand crew.  One of these engine modules will be dispatched from the southern part of the forest (that also experiences visitor use management challenges) to support the Monterey District prevention activities, and be available for possible suppression, along with other forest resources.  Coordination with our law enforcement branch, which has forest wide responsibilities, is also underway.
• In the meantime, we support engaging with our partners to seek better ways of managing visitor use and protecting our valuable natural resources.  Efforts are underway in implementing the strategic community fuelbreak project and other fuel reduction projects around the Monterey District.  Active partnerships with the county and fire safe councils are helping to further protect communities through defensible space.
• Thomas Murphey added that as of this weekend all roads, trails and campgrounds are open except group campsites at Plaskett and Arroyo Seco.

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

• All parks in the area are now open. But Day Use Are parking lots will close.  Walk ins allowed.
• This includes Pfeiffer State Park, JP Burns, Andrew Molera and Point Lobos.

Parks Management Company, Jeremy Waggoner reports:

• All PMC facilities are open, except group camp sites.
• Visitor numbers are down from usual for this time of year.
• Out of County and State visitors are in the majority.
• (Kirk believes tourist volume down 20-25%)

Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Mike Splain, ED:

• Since the last call (between 6/26 & 6/30/20), 10 VWA Trail Crew Leaders & Volunteer Wilderness Rangers contributed 258 hours on 9 patrols, all on coast-side trails. Volunteers made 89 visitor contacts, packed out 31 pounds of trash, removed 14 user-created fire rings, cleaned up campsites, & replaced fire restriction signage. Volunteers also conducted brushing, tread work, & hazard reduction, reported 4 violations, replaced 1 backcountry toilet, & dismantled a user-created lean-to structure.

Esalen Institute. Lacy Shannon:

• Unable to attend.

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

• Colleen provides us 2 links to helpful information on COVID-19
• California Covid Link – https://covid19.ca.gov
• California Toolkit – https://toolkit.covid19.ca.gov
• And a link on Ca.’s 2020 Budget.
• California Budget Info – https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/06/29/governor-newsom-signs-2020-budget-act/
• State Senate is starting summer recess today and will reconvene on July 13^th.

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

• Katie reported that Congressman Panetta was back in DC this week meeting with USFS Chief Vicki Christiansen and her Deputies regarding C-19 and the USFS response to wildfire.
• Jimmy also highlighted the issue of lack of adequate enforcement on the Monterey District. He pointed out that more enforcement of open fire restrictions would result in less fires and costs in suppression. The next step in achieving the goal of more enforcement is in the Appropriations Committee.
• Panetta is also backing legislation to address $5.2 Billion in deferred maintenance in the Forest as well as seeking parity in compensation for USFS Firefighters with their peers in other Agencies.
• On June 30^th, Jimmy led a delegation of Members of Congress to meet with the White House COVID-19 task force to press for production of more PPE and to discuss a detailed national strategy for evacuation in a major fire event.
• Katie also provided links for public comment on the Wind Power project and the South Coast surveillance tower project.

Offshore Wind 

• The attached Notice of Availability contains instructions for public comment:
• “The CEC encourages use of its electronic commenting system. Visit
• https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/Ecomment/Ecomment.aspx?docketnumber=17-MISC-01, which links to the comment page for this docket. Enter your contact information and a comment title describing the subject of your comment(s). Comments may be included in the “Comment Text” box or attached in a downloadable, searchable Microsoft® Word (.doc, .docx) or Adobe® Acrobat® (.pdf) file. Maximum file size is 10 MB.
• Written comments may also be submitted by email. Include the docket number, 17- MISC-01, and Offshore Renewable Energy in the subject line and send to docket@energy.ca.gov.
• If preferred, a paper copy may be submitted to:
• California Energy Commission
• Docket Unit, MS-4
• Re: Docket No. 17-MISC-01
• 1516 Ninth Street
• Sacramento, CA 95814-5512”

CBP Surveillance Tower

• Upon learning of the CBP Tower proposal in May, Rep Panetta convened a meeting between elected officials and Coastal Commission staff to ask questions about the CCC process for review and request that CCC allow for a public comment period. In response, CCC pushed the decision deadline back to July 15, 2020 to allow for more time to hear concerns and work on the submittal. To make a comment, residents or any member of the public can contact Mr. Larry Simon:
• Larry Simon
• Manager, Federal Consistency Unit
• Energy, Ocean Resources and
•    Federal Consistency Division
• California Coastal Commission
• 45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000
• San Francisco, CA 94105
• (415) 904-5288
• larry.simon@coastal.ca.gov
• www.coastal.ca.gov
• Update from South Coast LUAC Chair Connie McCoy:
• At the June 24 Planning Commission meeting, a quick update on the CBP proposal was given as to what had transpired since the May 12 South Coast LUAC meeting and  May 27 Planning Commission meeting.
  Because of public input, CBP has agreed to push the date for the Federal Consistency Unit to September 15.  They also are considering a new design for the tower and a new location.   
• The Federal Consistency Determination Unit and the County are still trying to bring CBP back to another South Coast LUAC meeting, but so far CBP has resisted.  

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

• Unable to call in.

Monterey County Sheriff Department, Deputy Villasenor:

• Unable to call in.

Community Association of Big Sur, Butch Kronlund. ED:

• Butch reported that the Draft DSP is available. 
• Public comment is encouraged on the Draft Big Sur DSP through July 6th, 2020. To see the plan and make comments go to bigsurdsp.com.  Additionally, there will be a community Zoom call.  See below:
   
  You are invited to the Big Sur Community Zoom webinar:    
    
  When: July 6, 2020, 3:00 PM      
      
  Topic: Community Association of Big Sur and Beyond Green Travel Q & A on the Draft Sustainable Destination Stewardship Plan.  If you have not already done so, please review the plan prior to the webinar.   
    
  Register in advance for this webinar:
    
  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SoiY3VTwSGegOU4rNZufRA    
    
  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
• Public comment on the Draft DSP will close at midnight Pacific Time on July 6^th 2020.
• Butch also reported that a third tranche of financial relief has gone out to Big Sur’s most vulnerable residents bringing the totals to: 166 checks written, supporting 123 families for a total of $192,300.
• Butch polled the stakeholder group and all expressed an interest in continuing to meet on Wednesday at 2pm.

Fourth of July visitors reminded that fireworks

are always prohibited on Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, Calif. – Los Padres National Forest officials are reminding Fourth of July visitors that the possession or use of fireworks—including the “safe and sane” variety—is always prohibited in the Forest. This year-round prohibition will be strictly enforced throughout the holiday weekend. 

A violation of the law could result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. In addition, anyone causing a wildfire is potentially liable for the cost of suppressing the fire. 

The Forest asks that all visitors take the appropriate precautions to prevent accidental wildfires:

·         Under high fire restrictions, campfires are only permitted in developed campgrounds and must always be attended by a responsible person.

·         Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit can use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from our website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). You must clear all flammable material for 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel and water available nearby, and ensure that a responsible person always attends the stove when it is in use.

• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or developed campground. 

·         Internal or external combustion engines require properly installed, functional spark arresters. This requirement is in effect year-round.

·         Avoid parking vehicles on grass, as hot engines can ignite dry vegetation.

·         Contact the Ranger Station nearest your destination for the latest conditions.

Under a current Forest Order, campfires are prohibited outside of developed campgrounds and can result in a fine of $5,000 and/or six months in jail. Due to the alarming rise in illegal campfires associated with dispersed camping across national forests in California, visitors are encouraged to report any signs of dispersed campfires to the nearest Forest Service Officer or Ranger Station. To report a fire or other emergency, call 911.