Board Meeting Agenda December 10, 2020
Online/Video Conference Meeting
Board Tour and Reception Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home order in Executive Order N-33-20, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy will not be hosting a field tour and therewill not be a reception for the December 2020 Board meeting.
Board Meeting December 10, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (End time is approximate)
Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 17, 2020, certain provisions of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act are suspended due to a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with this Executive Order, the December 2020 Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board Meeting will be conducted virtually through the Zoom Webinar Platform. Members of the public may join the meeting using either of the following steps: Join the webinar. Or Dial either of these numbers and enter the Conference Code to join the meeting by telephone:
Dial: USA 636 651 3142 USA 877 402 9757 (US Toll Free) Conference Code: 157321
Meeting Materials are available on the SNC Board Meetings page (https://sierranevada.ca.gov/our-board/board-meetings/). Members of the public can make comments on agenda items during the meeting by using either method of joining the meeting – virtually or telephonically – and by following the moderator’s directions on how to indicate their interest in speaking. Public comment will be taken at the appropriate time during each agenda item and during the Public Comment agenda item at the end of the meeting for non-agenda items. Additional information on ways to provide public comments on agenda items is available on the SNC Board Meetings page.
For additional information, please contact Ms. Armstrong at (530) 823-4700, toll free at (877) 257-1212, or via email to [email protected].
For assistance with joining the meeting by telephone or the Zoom meeting link, please contact SNC Technical Support ([email protected]). Any person who has a disability and requires reasonable accommodation to participate in this public meeting should contact Ms. Armstrong no later than five (5) working days prior to meeting.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of September 10, 2020, Meeting Minutes (ACTION)
4. Board Chair’s Report
5. Executive Officer’s Report (INFORMATIONAL) a. Executive Officer Update b. Administrative Update c. Policy and Outreach Update d. Field Operations and Grants
6. Election of Board Chair and Vice-Chair (ACTION) The Board will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair for the calendar year 2021.
7. 2021 Board Meeting Schedule (ACTION) The Board will review and approve a schedule for Board meetings for the calendar year 2021.
8. Moonlight Restoration California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Addendum (ACTION) Figure 1 // Figure 2 // Addendum 1 The Board will consider and may take action to approve as a Responsible Agency the addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration filed by the Feather River Resource Conservation District for the addition of prescribed herbivory as a treatment method on the Moonlight Restoration project.
9. SNC Grant #1063 the Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination to Increase Treatment Acreage (ACTION) Exhibit A // Notice of Determination The Board will consider and may take action to file a Notice of Determination as a Responsible Agency for a potential increase in acres treated using SNC funding.
10. 2020 Wildfire Impacts Update (INFORMATIONAL) Provide Boardmembers with an update on the 2020 wildfire season and its impacts on SNC projects.
11. Annual Report (INFORMATIONAL) Provide Boardmembers with an update on the development of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s 2020 Annual Report.
12. Boardmembers’ Comments Provide an opportunity for members of the Board to make comments on items not on the agenda.
13. Public Comments Provide an opportunity for members of the public who have not previously addressed the Board to comment on non-agenda items. The Board Chair reserves the right to limit the time allocated for each person providing public comment.
14. Adjournment
Additional Board Materials • Key Meetings and Presentations • Letters of Support • News Articles
Closed Session: Following, or at any time during, the meeting, the Board may recess or adjourn to closed session to consider pending or potential litigation, property negotiations, or personnel-related matters. Authority: Government Code Section 11126
Board Meeting Agenda September 10, 2020
Meeting Minutes Board Tour and Reception Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home order in Executive Order N-33-20, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy will not be hosting a field tour and there will not be a reception for the September 2020 Board meeting.
Board Meeting SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. (End time is Approximate)
1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.
2. Roll Call Present: Terry O’Brien, Nathan Magsig, Susana Reyes (joined at 9:16 a.m.), Mary Rickert, Bob Johnston, Richard Anderson, Stacy Corless, Richard Gillihan, John Brissenden, Rosemarie Smallcombe, Jerry Bird, Barnie Gyant (joined at 9:10 a.m.), Christopher Heppe, and Jim Richardson
Absent: Jennifer Montgomery and Paul Roen
3. Approval of June 4, 2020, Meeting Minutes (ACTION) ACTION: Boardmember Nathan Magsig moved and Boardmember Rosemarie Smallcombe seconded a motion to approve the June 4, 2020, meeting minutes. After a roll call vote the results were: Aye – 9, Nay – 0. The motion passed.
4. Board Chair’s Report Board Chair Terry O’Brien started the meeting by acknowledging all the first line responders fighting the fires throughout the state of California.
5. Executive Officer’s Report (INFORMATIONAL) a. Executive Officer Update
Executive Officer Angela Avery told the Board that given the current unprecedented fire situation in the state, SNC’s Regional Scientist,
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Nic Enstice, would be delivering a 2020 Fire Season update presentation as part of the Executive Officer report. Avery noted that the information being presented was current as of the Tuesday prior to the Board meeting. Avery continued by saying that this information is just one piece of the story and does not discuss the far-reaching implications of these fires. The goal of this information is to “start the conversation” and relay the urgency of the situation on the ground.
Enstice provided a PowerPoint presentation and summary overview of the 2020 fire season to date.
United States Forest Service (USFS) Board representative Barnie Gyant updated the Board on USFS closures. Gyant noted that the USFS made the tough decision to evacuate and to close several forests to protect the public and USFS staff from extremely high fire risk due to overcrowding and visitor negligence.
Boardmembers engaged in conversation about the USFS update, the fire season update, policy and funding issues, and concerns regarding the effects of wildfire on the Region.
Avery continued her update which included Executive Team meeting participation and highlights of important legislation.
Avery also informed the Board that limited remaining funding and the scale of need across the Region has motivated the Executive Team to begin exploring ways the SNC might diversify funding and create opportunities to complete the critical work that needs to be done across the Sierra Nevada.
b. Administrative Update
Administration Division Chief Amy Lussier gave the Board a high-level Administrative update.
Lussier shared that SNC Management has met with each member of SNC staff to ensure that they are able to be safe and productive while teleworking.
Lussier also informed the Board that the SNC budget may be decreased by $376,000 for the Personal Leave Program. Lussier said that while the State’s tax receipts are coming in higher than expected, staff remains unsure whether SNC will have to take a five percent budget cut next fiscal year.
Department of Finance Boardmember Richard Gillihan reiterated the higher than expected income for the state, but also noted that the state is still expecting billions of dollars in deficits.
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c. Policy and Outreach Update
Policy and Outreach Branch Manager Brittany Covich presented a brief update on current legislation and highlighted the latest activity in the Communications and Policy units.
As part of the Policy update, Covich told the Board that SNC Regional Scientist Nic Enstice has been working with other scientists at the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), Air Resources Board, and other state agencies to help inform and update California’s Natural and Working Lands Implementation Plan.
Covich also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with CNRA and USFS Region 5, committing to increase the pace and scale of on-the-ground projects.
d. Field Operations and Grants
Field Operations and Grants Branch Manager Andy Fristensky started his report by announcing the National Park Service External Partner Award, the West Henry Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award, was recently awarded to an SNC grantee in Shasta County, the Sierra Institute for Community and Environment. This award recognized an SNC-funded project that reduces fuel loads in wilderness areas.
Fristensky announced that the Fall River Resource Conservation District had recently withdrawn their application for a land acquisition grant which SNC staff was planning to bring to the Board for approval at this meeting. Fristensky noted that this means that, in a future year, staff will ask the Board to reallocate the funding that would have gone to this project.
Fristensky provided updates of recent activity of the Grants Management and Field Operations units, including compiling a list of on-the-ground projects put together in anticipation of stimulus package funding. This list includes over 125 projects totaling over $135,000,000 in shovel-ready projects.
Fristensky also offered an informational update on a request the SNC received from CNRA asking for a list of SNC funded projects that have been impacted by the 2020 wildfires. This update included mention of several fires currently burning that may impact project sites.
6. Impact of Wildfire on Tourism in the Sierra Nevada Research Update (INFORMATIONAL) Policy and Outreach Branch Manager Brittany Covich highlighted key outcomes from a SNC-funded study on the impacts of wildfire on tourism in the Sierra Nevada Region. Covich introduced the guest speakers and research team from San Francisco State University, Patrick Tierney, Carl Ribaudo, and Jackson Wilson.
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The members of the study team reviewed the study recommendations. Covich advised the Board that the SNC is still in the process of reviewing the study recommendations.
Boardmembers engaged in conversation with the guest speakers and expressed an interest in learning how counties can communicate with media to encourage tourism and return to the area after wildfires.
7. Roadmap to Resilience Status Update (INFORMATIONAL) Executive Officer Angela Avery introduced Sarah Campe, SNC South Subregion Area Representative, who will also be acting as lead on the Roadmap to Resilience project. Campe played a pre-recorded PowerPoint presentation for the Board. The presentation outlined Tahoe-Central Sierra Initiative (TCSI) background and identified the ways the TCSI might help increase the pace and scale of ecological forest restoration and create opportunities to tell important stories about need in the Region. The presentation identified tasks, project phases, and anticipated timelines for the Roadmap to Resilience project. Boardmembers engaged in conversation about the sense of urgency of this work that should be conveyed to policy/decision makers.
8. Boardmembers’ Comments Boardmember Mary Rickert expressed her disappointment that we were unable to host the September meeting in her Subregion/County. Boardmember Christopher Heppe provided kudos to SNC staff and project partners for the work on the South Fork Mokeuleme Watershed project.
9. Public Comments No public comment provided.
10. Adjournment The Board meeting adjourned at 12:56 p.m.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 5b: Administrative Update
Current Status – COVID Impacts As of the December Board Meeting, Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) staff will have spent nearly 40 weeks conducting business virtually. SNC is doing its part to support the Governor’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy by continuing to support telework for its employees, and of course conducting important meetings, workshops, trainings, and discussions with partners virtually. A controlled but relaxed policy to allow for essential travel has been implemented. Each request for travel is reviewed by the Management Team and, when options to do face-to-face meetings are viable, they continue to be the priority for interaction. The Management Team is currently determining whether a regular return to office is safe prior to the full deployment of a vaccine for the virus, given the fluctuating nature of county tier status. Training is being developed, facilities are being prepped for employees’ eventual return including adding touchless fixtures in restrooms, and policies are being updated to comply with state reporting law and to allow for better tracking in the event contact tracing is required. Regardless of county status, employees wishing to continue working from home while we remain under emergency declaration will be encouraged to do so.
Following the guidance of the Governor and based on the success of SNC’s emergency telework program, the staff is working to update SNC’s existing telework policy. The new policy will be aligned with the updated Statewide Model Telework Policy currently expected in November. Employees wishing to telework full-time (defined as three or more days per week) will be given the option to do so, assuming their duties can be fulfilled in a remote work environment.
Current Status – Safety SNC’s Safety Program, which ensures all SNC employees have a safe workplace, has been quite active in this last quarter. During this unprecedented wildfire season, SNC had multiple staff affected by wildfire and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Several SNC employees endured mandatory evacuations while others were so affected by smoke from the fires that they voluntarily evacuated and continued working from secondary locations via telework. The Safety Program deployed a text-based notification system to communicate important information on emergency status in real time. Also, a second round of ergonomic assessments was completed, and additional equipment provided to employees, if needed, to ensure that they remain injury-free while working from home.
Current Status – Human Resources As identified in the SNC 2020-21 Action Plan, SNC has partnered with UC Davis to provide department-wide training in two areas. Implicit Bias training, to teach about the attitudes, stereotypes and assumptions that affect perceptions, understanding, and decisions daily, and Strengths Finder training, which will teach how to identify and apply
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personal strengths to increase efficiency and effectiveness, build teams, and improve job satisfaction. The plan is to conduct the Implicit Bias training virtually in January 2021 and to hold the Strengths training in person in the Spring, if it is permitted to gather face to face. To address diversity and equity in the organization, a cross-organizational team focused on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) has been created. The JEDI team will assess practices and policies and develop recommendations on future actions in these areas. Also, in accordance with SNC’s Action Plan, staff has implemented cross-training plans to transfer knowledge from key personnel who may retire in the next 12-24 months to remaining employees, and developed and launched a formal employee recognition program. Finally, the staff is in the process of creating new, and updating existing, desk manuals for all administrative activities.
In October, SNC advertised a position for a North Subregion Area Representative. This position is to fill behind Lynn Campbell who will be retiring at the end of this calendar year. Kristy Hoffman will be transferred from the North Subregion to the North Central Subregion, which Lynn has been covering. The new hire will cover the North Subregion. We will provide a verbal update on the status of this position at the meeting.
Current Status – Budgets and Accounting The Administrative staff has been busy preparing reports and responding to drills from the Department of Finance (DOF) to build the 2021-22 budget and reduce SNC’s current year budget (2020-21) in support of the Personal Leave Program (PLP) salary reductions. After these reductions, along with the annual retirement rate adjustments and health benefit adjustments, SNC’s ELPF budget was reduced by $235,000 to $4,403,000.
SNC is continuing to conduct current fiscal year business in the most economical manner as possible, as directed by DOF in April 2020. On November 3, 2020, DOF released a budget letter informing departments that beginning in fiscal year 2021-22, all department budgets will be reduced by five percent. Each department, including SNC, will have the flexibility to identify how they want to reduce their budget, with a plan due to DOF in Spring 2021. SNC is currently assessing the best area(s) to apply this reduction.
The Administrative staff continues to track COVID-19 costs and submits a weekly report to DOF via the California Natural Resources Agency. As of the beginning of November, SNC has spent a total of $43,592 on COVID-19-related expenses; $41,105 of that amount has been spent in 2020-21. This includes staff time for contact tracing, health and safety supplies, and supplies to support teleworking. SNC expects to be reimbursed for staff time spent contact tracing.
The current status of SNC’s 2020-21 budget can be viewed on page three of this report.
Recommendation This is an informational item only; no formal action is needed by the Board at this time, although Boardmembers are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments.
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2020-21 SNC Budget (as of September 30, 2020)
Reimbursements
Environmental License Plate Fund Support Budget Expenditures Personal Services $3,396,940 $866,334 Operating Expenses & Equipment (OE&E) $1,006,060 $107,613 Total ELPF (Personal Services + OE&E) $4,403,000 $973,947
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Fund Support Budget Expenditures Personal Services $137,238 $25,209 Operating Expenses & Equipment (OE&E) $6,884,006 $8,101 Total SNC Fund (Personal Services + OE&E) $7,021,244 $33,310
Proposition 1 Total Budget Expenditures Program Delivery $200,000 $49,214
Proposition 68 Budget Expenditures Program Delivery – Conservancy Allocation $275,000 $64,414 Planning & Monitoring – Conservancy Allocation $50,000 $0 Program Delivery – Forest Restoration Allocation $225,000 $53,839 Total Proposition 68 $550,000 $118,253
Proposition 84 Total Budget Expenditures Planning & Monitoring $30,000 $6,519
SNC Fund Reimbursements – Projected Projected Received CAL FIRE $7,327,699 $0 CNRA/Dept. of Conservation $913,200 $0 CHIPs $149,825 $0 HCD/NDRC $116,442 $0 Stewardship Council $11,512 $0 Total Projected Reimbursements $8,518,678 $0
Federal Funding – Total Projected Projected Received USFS – Plumas National Forest $1,853,896 $0
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 5c: Policy and Outreach Update
Background Following Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board (Board) direction, SNC policy and outreach activities support sound, science-based agency action and educate key decision makers about the statewide importance of the Sierra Nevada to encourage appropriate investment in the Region. This is done by understanding the latest scientific studies on forestry, watershed health, and other relevant issues; utilizing the recommendations and outcomes of that research to inform policy recommendations; and sharing those recommendations and outcomes through SNC’s outreach efforts. Developing and maintaining relationships with legislators and their staff, state and federal agencies, local governments, Regional partners, the research community, and traditional and non-traditional media contacts are key to the success of SNC’s policy and outreach efforts. In addition, while SNC’s policy and outreach activities support all the Regional Goals in the SNC’s Strategic Plan, they focus heavily on the cultivation of an impactful Regional identity for the Sierra Nevada Region.
Current Status
State Budget Update As previously reported, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the FY 2020-21 budget in June. However, due to the uncertainty around the economic impacts of COVID-19, the legislature deferred all deliberations on special fund programs, including those receiving California Climate Investments (CCI) funds. At the time of this report, the Legislature had not reconvened to discuss CCI priorities and funding allocations, which will be based on the amount of proceeds generated from quarterly cap-and-trade auctions. Staff will continue to monitor the outcomes of CCI discussions and assess how allocations for forest health work may impact the Region.
State Legislative Update With days left in the legislative session, legislators were considering two budget concepts that would have provided funding for forest health and fire prevention work. The first concept, AB 1659, would have extended the existing fixed charge on utility rates to generate $2.5 billion in new revenue for climate- and wildfire-related jobs and investments. The funding was to be allocated proportionally within the service areas of the large electrical corporations and exclusively within those service areas. SNC would have been eligible for this funding.
The second concept, a proposed budget measure totaling $500 million, would have provided new funding for CAL FIRE, California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), and
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other agencies for fuel reduction, fire prevention, and emergency response activities. The SNC would not have received new funding through this measure but would have had its remaining Proposition 68 funds appropriated in in the current fiscal year (FY 2020/21) rather than keeping it available for future year appropriation as currently planned. Neither of these funding concepts were passed by the legislature, and the legislative session ended with no funding committed for forest health grant programs in FY 2020/21.
Of the number of bills that SNC was tracking, only a few were signed by the Governor, including Senate Bill (SB) 1320 and Assembly Bill (AB) 3163. AB 3163 (Salas, D, Bakersfield) redefines “biomethane” as methane produced from an organic waste feedstock, including wood, wood chips, and wood waste, that meets specified standards. The definition change would allow biomethane to be produced from wood waste from forest health projects. SB 1320 (Stern, D, Calabasas) requires the Office of Planning and Research to produce a California Climate Change Assessment every five years. SB 989, a bill that would have expanded the SNC’s boundary, and AB 2621, which would have authorized eligible agencies to establish and participate in a Regional Climate Network to prepare a regional climate adaptation action plan, failed to pass the Legislature.
Even though the 2020 legislative session ended on August 31, informational hearings continued through the fall. The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation held an informational hearing on October 20 to discuss wildfire mitigation measures. Representatives from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, California Native Plant Society, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, and CAL FIRE testified. Topics of discussion focused on forest management and fire prevention, including funding opportunities, regionalized approaches, and policies the state legislature might consider in the 2021-22 legislative session. The Assembly Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to hold an informational hearing on November 9 to discuss prescribed fire.
The legislature will convene on December 7 to organize for the 2021-22 regular session.
State Policy Update On October 7, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-82-20 (EO) to bolster climate change and biodiversity initiatives. The EO establishes a state goal to conserve at least 30 percent of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030, launches the California Biodiversity Collaborative, and elevates the role of natural and working lands as a pillar of California’s climate change strategy.
On October 1, SNC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Sierra Pacific Industries, and CAL FIRE. The purpose of the MOU is to coordinate landscape-scale fuels reduction, fire prevention, and species conservation projects across jurisdictions. This will increase the pace and scale of restoration, and protect communities, wildlife, forests, and watersheds from large, damaging wildfires.
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Federal Legislative Update In August, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced The Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act (S. 4431). According to a press release from Senator Feinstein, this is a “bipartisan bill to help protect communities from catastrophic wildfires by implementing critical wildfire mitigation projects, sustaining healthier forests that are more resilient to climate change and providing important energy and retrofitting assistance to businesses and residences to mitigate future risks from wildfire and power shutoffs.” The House companion bill is led by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA). An informational hearing was held on September 16 to discuss the provisions of the bill. Both Democrats and Republicans voiced their support for increasing forest management.
In September, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2020 (S.4625). According to a press release from Senator Wyden, this bill “would support pre-fire season controlled burns as an essential, science-based strategy for reducing hazardous fuels to mitigate the worst effects of wildfire. The legislation would increase the pace and scale of controlled burns, create a technically skilled preseason controlled burn workforce, and give states more flexibility to regulate controlled burns in winter months to reduce catastrophic fires and dangerous smoke in the summer.” This bill has not received a hearing.
Staff will continue to track these and other federal legislative proposals that may impact the Region as they move through the federal legislative process.
WIP Capacity Program Update The staff continues to work closely with the eleven original Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) Capacity Program Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFCP) subgrantees. These subgrantees are working in their geographies to further project development, landscape-scale project planning, partnership development, and capacity building for the organizations and agencies involved in forest and fire work. Capacity-building activities include training workshops in organizational management, finance, and partnership development. Subgrantees are engaged in a variety of planning efforts in their geographies, depending on local needs. These range from the initial work of convening area organizations, to sophisticated use of geographic information system maps to plan projects. In addition, some Subgrantees are using RFFCP grant resources to complete project development and permitting for their priority projects. The goal of this work is to increase the effectiveness of the Region in planning, funding, and implementing strategic forest restoration and fire resilience projects through strengthening individual organizations and partnerships.
The RFFCP AB 2551 grant from the Department of Conservation is providing additional resources to the North and Sacramento-Feather geographies. Two new subgrantees have been added to the program (the Pit Tribe and the Maidu Summit Consortium) and two current subgrantees (the Modoc and Feather River RCDs) have been provided with
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more funding to augment their programs. SNC Staff is completing these subgrants with work expected to begin in 2021.
With COVID-19 restrictions on travel and in-person meetings, SNC staff is offering more services in an online format. Since the September Board meeting, three virtual grant writing workshops have been hosted and two more are scheduled for coming months. These workshops provide intensive, small group learning opportunities to organizations throughout the Region, and complement the individual funding consultations staff provides upon request. The SNC staff also provides monthly funding opportunities newsletters and have published two grant research memos (forest and watershed health; parks, recreation, and tourism) which can be found on the SNC funding webpage.
Science Update The staff continues to engage in statewide efforts to inform and improve research, data, and policy through technical advisory groups and science-focused workgroups. Staff co-leads the Forest Management Task Force’s (FMTF) Sierra and East Side Regional Prioritization Work Group and the Biomass Financing Team under the Wood Utilization Working Group. Staff also serves on the FMTF’s Forest Management and Restoration Working group. In addition, SNC provides technical and scientific support to the CNRA as proposals for utilizing natural and working lands to help meet California’s climate goals are developed. Staff also participate in a handful of location-specific wildfire and carbon analysis efforts. Participation in each of these technical and working groups provide staff with opportunities to inform statewide processes and approaches on behalf of the Region and better understand data and tools available to the Region for improving forest and watershed health.
Next Steps The 2020 fire season has already broken records in the Sierra Nevada, and over the next few months staff will be focused on gathering and assessing information about the fire season, the outcomes of individual fires, and the impacts that SNC-funded work has had on fires across the Region. Staff will be developing communication products and educational materials and identifying opportunities to share information with policymakers about the 2020 fire season. Staff will also be focused on planning the 2021 WIP Summit and will be tracking legislative and policy discussions that may impact SNC’s programs and partners.
Recommendation This is an informational item only; no formal action is needed by the Board at this time, although Boardmembers are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 5d: Field Operations and Grants Update
Background In December 2019, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board (Board) passed a motion to allocate $3 million in Proposition 68 funds to implement the Forest Health Grant Program, $1 million in Proposition 68 funds to implement the Vibrant Recreation and Tourism Grant Program, and $1 million in Proposition 68 funds to implement the Resilient Sierra Nevada Communities Grant Program. In June 2020, the Board approved the SNC Forest and Watershed Health Directed Grant Program Guidelines, the SNC Vibrant Recreation and Tourism Directed Grant Program Guideline Companion Document, and the SNC Resilient Sierra Nevada Communities Grant Program Companion Document, and authorized staff to implement all three programs with Proposition 68 funds appropriated to SNC in the FY 2020-2021 State Budget.
In June 2020, the Board also passed a motion for SNC to receive supplemental Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFCP) funds, to approve and execute grants and contracts consistent with the criteria of RFFCP, and direct staff to take the necessary actions for its successful implementation.
Current Status Staff worked closely with Regional partners and discussed over a dozen different project ideas for the first round of SNC directed grant programs. Field Operations Manager Luke Hunt, and Field Operations and Grants Branch Manager Andy Fristensky, vetted all ideas and invited several partners to submit concept proposals to be reviewed by the SNC Management Team. Four concept proposals were approved and thus invited to submit a full proposal. The SNC Management Team reviewed full proposals in November 2020 to make recommendations for Board approval during a future Board meeting. Staff is currently soliciting ideas and concept proposals for the second round of the directed grant programs.
The SNC was awarded a new RFFCP block grant in the amount of $400,000 from the California Natural Resources Agency in June 2020. The grant is to support Regional capacity building, planning for priority fire resiliency opportunities, pre-project planning and permitting, and outreach and education within the Pit River and Feather River upper watersheds. This agreement is for the administration of watershed coordinator grants within the watersheds that feed Shasta and Oroville reservoirs. These watersheds were identified in AB 2551 and are funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Staff has reached out to four potential sub grantees: Pit River Tribe, Maidu Summit Consortium, Modoc Resource Conservation District, and Feather River Resource Conservation District. Staff is currently working on identifying appropriate deliverables for the subgrantees to be included in subsequent grant agreements.
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Next Steps Staff will continue to manage all active projects in existing grant programs. Staff will also work with partners to develop up to $5 million in projects in three program areas: Forest Health, Resilient Sierra Nevada Communities, and Vibrant Recreation and Tourism. Staff will execute grant agreements to implement work consistent with the criteria of RFFCP.
Recommendation This is an informational item only; no formal action is needed by the Board at this time, although Boardmembers are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 6: Election of Board Chair and Vice-Chair
Background By statute, the Governing Board is to elect a Chair of the Board annually. By tradition, this election has also included a Vice-Chair of the Board. Likewise by tradition, the Chair has been selected from the seven statewide members, and the Vice-Chair has come from one of the six county supervisor representatives.
Current Status The current terms for Chair Terry O’Brien and Vice-Chair Stacy Corless end with the calendar year.
Next Steps The Board will elect new officers for the calendar year 2021.
Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board elect new officers for the calendar year 2021.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 7: 2021 Board Meeting Schedule
Background The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) has met quarterly throughout the Region since June 2006. In 2012, the Governing Board approved an ongoing schedule that provides for the annual March meeting to be held in Sacramento. The other three quarterly Board meetings are held in the Region, rotating between Subregions. In-Region Board meetings include a field tour on Wednesday afternoon and the Board meeting on Thursday.
As a result of the threat of COVID-19, on March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 which declared a State of Emergency in California. On March 17, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order N-29-20 which suspended certain provisions of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act to support virtual meetings during the pandemic. Consistent with these orders, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy moved the June, September, and December 2020 Board meetings to a virtual platform.
Current Status As a result of the 2020 Executive Orders, and the requirement to hold a majority of the 2020 meetings virtually, the SNC was unable to continue with in-person meetings held in the Region. Therefore, the proposed schedule is based on the 2020 approved Subregion rotation.
The dates and locations proposed below have been selected to ensure that meeting attendance is not impacted by weather, travel restrictions, and major scheduling conflicts.
Next Steps The following schedule is proposed for 2021:
• March 3 – 4, 2021, Sacramento • June 2 – 3, 2021, East Subregion (Mono County) • September 1 – 2, 2021, North Subregion (Shasta County) • December 8 – 9, 2021, South-Central Subregion (Mariposa County)
Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board approve the 2021 Board Meeting Schedule and direct staff to take the necessary actions for its successful implementation.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 8: Moonlight Restoration California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Addendum Update
Background In 2007, the Moonlight Fire burned approximately 65,000 acres of the Plumas National Forest (PNF), 37,000 of which burned at stand-replacing high severity, converting forests dominated by long-lived conifers to shrublands dominated by montane chaparral species. In 2014, the Regional Forester directed United States Forest Service (USFS) staff to develop fire restoration plans that would identify landscape restoration needs, cultivate partnerships, and obligate fire settlement funds within three years of their receipt. As such, the USFS has been developing contracts, partnerships, and agreements with county, state, and other federal agencies (for example: Plumas County, California Community Colleges, and Bureau of Indian Affairs, respectively) to obligate the funds and complete the Moonlight Fire restoration work.
In March 2017, staff from the PNF approached the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) with a proposal to obligate several million dollars of Fire Settlement Funds (FSF) in a long-term agreement with the SNC to implement needed restoration activities in the Moonlight Fire area. After exploring different options to maximize benefits and flexibility, it was mutually determined that a stand-alone Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) between the PNF and the SNC would be the best contractual tool.
The SNC Governing Board approved staff recommendation to finalize the GNA scope of work and administrative responsibilities and execute the agreement at the June 2018 Board Meeting. The GNA, executed on August 9, 2018, is for a term of ten years and earmarks $7.2 million for environmental review, restoration work, and administrative costs. The GNA covers the entire PNF to allow for the possible addition of more restoration funds in the future if the arrangement proves to be efficient and beneficial to all parties. Successful expenditure of these funds on restoration projects demonstrates an innovative approach to restoring capacity of the PNF, allowing them to complete more proactive forest health work and truly increase the pace and scale of forest restoration. Establishing a new model to help administer FSF is beneficial to all forests in the Sierra Nevada Region and will build capacity of local organizations to restore impacted landscapes. Depending on the SNC’s experience with this GNA, it could be considered as a model going forward.
Staff worked with control agencies to add the FSF into the SNC budget beginning in Fiscal Year 2018-19. Communication with boards and directors of the Feather River Resource Conservation District (Feather River RCD), as well as with nonprofit organizations, indicated that there was a strong desire to establish longer-term contracts to complete the work, helping to build capacity and sustain staff.
Agenda Item 8: Moonlight Restoration California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Addendum Update Page 2
Feather River RCD utilized the federally approved National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-compliant environmental resource analyses to inform the CEQA analysis and documentation and completed the state environmental compliance process. The project area analyzed within the PNF in Plumas County consists of watershed and forest health restoration activities on approximately 12,703 acres and 255 miles of travel routes in the Moonlight Fire area (Figure 1). Feather River RCD, as CEQA Lead Agency, completed the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and filed the Notice of Determination with Plumas County and the Office of Planning and Research State Clearinghouse on February 7, 2019.
At the March 2019 SNC Board Meeting, the SNC Board approved the findings concurring with the Mitigated Negative Declaration and authorized the Executive Officer to file a Notice of Determination as a Responsible Agency, which was filed with the State Clearinghouse on March 14, 2019. At the same meeting, the SNC Board authorized a grant award to Feather River RCD for the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project (FPNFMFSF001) for $6,305,455 of FSF and authorized staff to enter into the necessary agreements to move forward with this project. The agreement with Feather River RCD was executed on April 9, 2019, and the PNF GNA was modified on April 16, 2019, so that it was consistent with Grant Agreement #FPNFMFSF001 with Feather River RCD. The SNC, Feather River RCD, and PNF began watershed and forest health restoration activities under the Agreement within the Moonlight Fire Area on May 10, 2019.
The SNC Board approved the CEQA Notice of Exemption for the addition of the Walker Fire planting and release treatments at the March 2020 Board Meeting. In addition, the GNA was modified for a second time (Mod #2) in May 2020. The Mod #2 added $400,000 to the budget, which increased the GNA total to $7,396,457.66 and updated the budget by adding a funding category for ungulate invasive removal and ungulate site prep. Furthermore, Walker fire planting and release was not included under the original agreement, so this was also added in the recently approved Mod #2.
Current Status Based on the approved GNA Mod #2, the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project, Grant Agreement #FPNFMFSF001 with Feather River RCD, was amended in October 2020 to include the 2020 Annual Plan of Operations, as amended annually, and increase the Agreement to $6,665,455 to include the additional funds for prescribed herbivory.
As a result of concerns identified during NEPA and per Regional Forester direction, the PNF has been directed to implement a 500-acre pilot project using goats to site prepare for reforestation within the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project reforestation units. The pilot project will be implemented in polygons designated, analyzed, and approved under the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project NEPA Environmental Assessment. Please see Figure 2 for locations of prescribed herbivory within the project area.
Agenda Item 8: Moonlight Restoration California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Addendum Update Page 3
Since the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project IS/MND adopted by the Feather River RCD and approved by the SNC Board at the March 2019 Board Meeting didn’t include prescribed herbivory, Feather River RCD utilized the federally approved NEPA-compliant environmental resource analyses to inform the CEQA analysis and documentation and approved the CEQA Addendum 1: Prescribed Herbivory at their October 2020 Board meeting.
As a CEQA Responsible Agency, this project requires the SNC to consider the addendum approved by Feather River RCD, as Lead Agency, with the adopted IS/MND prior to deciding on the project. The Feather River RCD has concluded that, under the current IS/MND analysis and associated mitigation measures, minor technical changes to the projects would not result in any of the conditions described in CCR §15162 calling for the preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration to occur. Therefore, this addendum has been created for the purpose of making technical changes known pursuant to CCR §15164. The proposed changes would not create impacts outside of those addressed in the IS/MND.
Please follow the links below for the
• Addendum 1: Prescribed Herbivory to the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration.
• Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project Initial Study – Mitigated Negative Declaration with Feather River Conservation District Notice of Determination
Next Steps Upon approval by the Board, SNC will approve the Addendum as a CEQA Responsible Agency, and SNC staff will continue to work with Feather River RCD and the PNF to implement the restoration work as detailed in the modified GNA and amended grant agreement.
Recommendation Staff recommends the Board approve as a Responsible Agency the addendum to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration filed by the Feather River Resource Conservation District for the addition of prescribed herbivory as a treatment method on the Moonlight Restoration project and direct staff to take the necessary actions for its successful implementation.
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan,METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and theGIS User Community
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www.SIERRANEVADA.ca.gov
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Project Boundary
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Central Subregion
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FEATHER RIVER RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
47 TRILOGY LANE
QUINCY, CA 95971
PO BOX 3562 530.927.5299
FFRCD ORG
MEMORANDUM
Addendum 1: Prescribed Herbivory
Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project Initial Study - Mitigated Negative Declaration
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance
Project Title: Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project
Lead Agency: Feather River Resource Conservation District
PO Box 3562, 47 Trilogy Lane
Quincy CA 95971
Contact Person and Phone Number: Brad Graevs, (530) 927-5299
Project Location: Approximately 5 to 15 miles north and east of Taylorsville, California and 20 to 30 miles
northeast of Quincy, California
Responsible Agency: Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC)
1 I 521 Blocker Dr., #205
Auburn, CA 95603
Project Sponsors: Plumas National Forest
159 Lawrence St.
Quincy, CA 95971
General Plan Designation: Timber Resource Land
Zoning: Timberland Production (TPZ).General Forest (GF). General Agriculture (GA)
Reason for Addendum: This addendum has been created to address a minor change in project design features. which will utilize prescribed herb ivory in lieu of heavy machinery for the purpose of reforestation site preparation in units previously analyzed under this project.
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Vicinity Map
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Figure 1. Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project Vicinity Map
Background:
The Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was signed on February 7, 2019 and authorized 4,000 acres ofreforestation, 768 acres of pre-commercial thinning, 1,928 acres of aspen restoration and over 40 miles of road decommissioning. As a result of project objections and per Regional Forester direction, the Forest has been directed to implement a 500-acre pilot project using goats to site prepare for reforestation within the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project reforestation units. The pilot project will be implemented in polygons designated, analyzed and approved under the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration Project EA (Figures 1 through 5). The main difference will be the use of goats to site prep the planting area as opposed to the original proposed use of heavy mechanical equipment.
Moonlight Goat Site Prep
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Figure 2. Proposed Moonlight Goat prep units
All resource protection measures from the Moonlight Fire Area Restoration IS/MND will be observed. The goats would be expected to stay within the same treatment polygon as mechanical equipment. Subsequent reforestation and release is expected to follow project design features outlined in the lS/MND, though there is a possibility goats may be used for release in lieu of herbicides or manual grubbing. The release radius would stay the same.
Figure 3. Moonlight goat prep units 213 and 214
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Resource Concerns:
Botanical Resources
No additional concerns. Incorporate design features and mitigations regarding invasive and rare plants from existing IS/MND into the goat grazing project:
• Prevent spread of invasive species with equipment: Use contract clauses to require that the activities of contractors are conducted to prevent and control the introduction, establishment, and spread of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. For example, where determined to be appropriate, use agreement clauses to require contractors to meet Forest Service-approved vehicle and equipment cleaning requirements/standards prior to using the vehicle or equipment in the National Forest System.
• Cleaning equipment: Require all off-road equipment and vehicles (Forest Service andcontracted) used for project implementation to be free of weeds. Clean all equipment and vehicles of all mud, dirt, and plant paits. This will be done at a vehicle washing station or steam-cleaning facility before the equipment and vehicles enter the project area.
•Staging areas: Do not stage equipment, materials, or crews in areas infested with invasive plant species where there is a risk of spread to areas of low infestation.
•Known/existing infestations: Known infestations would be designated as control areas where equipment and soil disturbing project activities would be excluded. These areas would bedesignated on project maps and delineated in the field with day-glow orange noxious weedflagging. The currently known noxious weeds in the project area are: barbed goatgrass (Aegilops triuncia/is), yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe),Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), common St. Johnsworte(Hypericum perforatum), Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria), butter and eggs (Linaria vulgaris), and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Most weed species are limited in extent, except for Canada thistle, which has increased dramatically throughout the area after the Moonlight Fire.Known infestations would be prioritized for prevention and control measures based on speciesabundance (less common weeds would receive higher priority), risk of spread from activities, and other site-specific factors. If avoidance would unreasonably constrain our ability to implement the proposed restoration activities, equipment and vehicles would be cleaned prior to leaving theinfested area. Additional weed control and monitoring mitigations would be developed to ensure project activities do not spread invasive plants.
•Road construction, reconstruction, and maintenance: All earth-moving equipment, gravel, fill, or other materials need to be weed free. On site sand, gravel, rock, or organic matter would be used where possible.
•Revegetation: If skid trails, landings, or stream crossings require soil stabilization, weed-free equipment, mulches, and seed sources would be used. On-site material would be chipped to use as mulch to the extent possible. Ifmulcb is imported to the site use weed free rice straw(prefe1Ted) or certified weed free straw. Avoid seeding in areas where revegetation will occurnaturally, unless invasive plant species are a concern. Save topsoil from disturbance and put itback to use in onsite revegetation, unless contaminated with invasive plants. All activities thatrequire seeding or planting would need to use locally collected native seed sources or thoseidentified by the Botanist. A seed mix would be developed when specific site locations andconditions (dry, moist, wet, etc.) are determined .
•
Hydrological Resources Maintain and incorporate stream and watercourse protection measures from the existing IS/MND into the goat grazing project.
Wildlife Resources Exclude goats from grazing within riparian zones. Additionally, keep goats within the original reforestation polygon boundaries and avoid Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (SNYLF) habitat (Table 1).
Most critical reforestation polygons would be in the Lone Creek watershed (SNYLF occupied critical
habitat). Operators will be required to ensure animal and heard health as to not affect wildlife.
Stream type Riparian
Conservation Area Widths
Minimum distance to burn pile
Equipment exclusion zone for slopes less than 35
percent
Equipment exclusion zone for
slopes greater than 35 percent
*Perennial Stream 300 feet 100 feet 100 feet No equipment entry
*lntemiittent Stream 150 feet 100 feet 50 feet No equipment entry
No equipment entry Ephemeral stream 150 feet 15 feet 25 feet
*Special aquatic features (reservoirs, wetlands, fens, and
300 feet 100 feet 100 feet No equipment entry
springs}
Riparian features, dry meadows, ·150 feet 15 feet 50 feet No equipment entry
seasonal wetlands
*Unless this is suitable habitat for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, in which case, conservation measures for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog would apply, where more restrictive (see project-specific design features).
Table 1. Design criteria for riparian conservation areas by stream type*
Conclusion
Therefore, under the cun-ent IS/MND analysis and associated mitigation measures; minor technical
changes to the projects would not result in any of the conditions described in CCR§ 15162 calling for the
preparation of a subsequent EIR or negative declaration to occur and therefore this addendum has been
created for the purpose of making technical changes known pursuant to CCR§ 15164. The proposed
changes would not create impacts outside of those addressed in the 1S/MND.
Signature: -�<-- --I--"?"'"-------------------- Date:
President of the Board of Directors, Feather River Resource Conservation District.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 9: SNC Grant #1063 the Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Determination to Increase Treatment Acreage
Background The Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC) holds a conservation easement on the 1,295-acre Von Der Ahe property. This forestland is located within the Chowchilla watershed in Mariposa County. The property is managed for wildlife habitat, grazing, recreation, and aesthetic value.
In June 2019, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Board awarded $721,487 to the SFC for project number 1063, the Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project (Project). The Project includes 250 acres of non-commercial forest treatments to create a more resilient landscape better suited to withstand wildfires, droughts, or pest outbreaks, as well as protect multiple rural communities. The SFC holds Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan (NTMP) N4-99-6 to complete forest treatments across the entire property. At the time of grant award, the SNC Board authorized a Notice of Determination (NOD) as a Responsible Agency on the NTMP. The NOD specified 250 acres of forest treatment under the SNC grant and was filed by SNC in June 2019.
Current Status The SFC has been implementing grant activities over the past year, and as of September 2020, has completed ground surveys and vegetation treatments on 100 acres of the planned 250 acres – 40 percent of the project area. Based on grant funds expended thus far and project cost projections, the SFC anticipates that it may be possible to treat an additional 100 acres without exceeding the budget provided by the grant. The types of forest treatment activities would be the same as those currently covered by the SNC grant, including prescriptive tree and brush thinning, mortality tree thinning, and tree pruning. These treatments are described in the Von Der Ahe Cooperative Forest Management Plan and included in the NTMP.
This is an excellent opportunity for SNC to increase the impact of the grant investment. The grant agreement may be revised to provide for forest treatments on additional acres, but the environmental compliance analysis must be expanded to consider the increase in treatment acres. As all of the treatments and locations proposed for the additional acres are covered under the same NTMP reviewed at the time of award, SNC may file a new Notice of Determination as a Responsible Agency which includes the additional acres.
Please follow the links below for project details:
• Project 1063 Details, Map, and Notice of Determination• Sierra Foothill Conservancy Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan N4-99-6
Agenda Item 9: SNC Grant #1063 the Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Determination to Increase Treatment Acreage Page 2
Next Steps Upon Board approval, staff will file the Notice of Determination and work with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy to revise the grant agreement to include additional acres, as necessary.
Recommendation Staff recommends the Board authorize the Executive Officer to file a Notice of Determination for the Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project (1063), and authorize staff to revise the grant agreement to include additional treatment acres if previously authorized grant funds are available.
Exhibit A
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Forest Health Grant Program SNC Project Number 1063
SNC ID Number: 1063 Applicant: Sierra Foothill Conservancy Project Title: Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project SNC Subregion: South Central County: Mariposa Funding Amount Awarded: $721,487 Total Project Cost: $742,235 Funding Authority: Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014
Revised Project Scope / Description The Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project (Project) will restore and enhance a minimum of 250 acres of forestland within the Chowchilla watershed in Mariposa County. The Sierra Foothill Conservancy (SFC) holds a conservation easement on the 1,295-acre Von Der Ahe Property (Property) which is managed for wildlife habitat, grazing, recreation, and aesthetic value. The Property is located approximately 10 miles southeast of the town of Mariposa and nestled between multiple rural communities.
The Property lies at approximately 3000’-3200’ in elevation and supports a diverse mosaic of forest types including Sierran Mixed Conifer forests, hardwood forests, grasslands, and thirty-plus-year-old plantations including Douglas fir, giant sequoia, ponderosa pine, and sugar pine. The Property has been managed extensively in the past with assistance from publicly funded programs such as Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS’s) Healthy Forests Reserve Program and CAL FIRE’s California Forest Improvement Program and is currently managed under the direction of a Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan. The property has experienced elevated levels of tree mortality in recent years, resulting in high fuel loading throughout the property. Additionally, many of the plantations on the property are overstocked and in need of thinning to promote tree growth and forest resiliency. The Project will remove most of the drought and beetle-killed pine trees. It also aims to thin the overstocked plantations to approximately 150 trees per acre and thin trees under eight inches diameter in natural stands. Slash will be masticated and spread on site or burned. The Project will follow up these treatments with a pruning operation that will raise the canopy and create a more fire safe setting.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Forest Health Grant Program SNC Project Number 1063 Exhibit A - Page 2
The Project is surrounded mainly by private property but also connects to Sierra National Forest lands. Many surrounding landowners actively manage their properties and reduce fuel around their ingress/egress routes in addition to any structures. The Project connects and strengthens a series of completed and planned fuel breaks installed by the Mariposa County Fire Safe Council, CAL FIRE, and the Sierra National Forest.
The Sierra Foothill Conservancy is a non-profit land trust active between and near Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings Canyon national parks. Their focus is to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Sierra Nevada foothills for future generations. The Property has been owned and managed by the Von Der Ahe family for many decades, and the family has worked extensively with CAL FIRE and the NRCS to maintain and steward the property. The Property has been co-managed with the SFC since the placement of a conservation easement in 2003.
The Project will leverage resources from NRCS in cost-share contracts and will benefit from in-kind contributions from Point-Blue Conservation Science for pre- and post- avian monitoring. The SFC will utilize this SNC funding to leverage future funding through NRCS.
The Project falls in line with the goals of Proposition 1 and the Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program. The forest treatments will create a more-resilient landscape better suited to withstand future wildfires, droughts, or pest outbreaks and protect multiple rural communities. The Project is in the upper watershed of the Chowchilla River which flows into Eastman Lake and supports multiple communities and irrigation districts in the San Joaquin Valley.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Forest Health Grant Program SNC Project Number 1063 Exhibit A - Page 3
Project Schedule Project Tasks and Deliverables Timeline
Site Preparation January – March 2020 January – March 2021 January – March 2022
Wildlife Surveys January – March 2020 January – March 2021 January – March 2022
A minimum of 250 Acres of Forest Treatments through:
1. Non-Commercial Thinning2. Dead Tree Removal3. Slash Mitigation
January – June 2020 November 2020 – June 2021 November 2021 – June 2022 November – December 2022
Project Tour
September 2019 December 2020 December 2021 December 2022
Six-Month Progress Report
December 2019 June, December 2020 June, December 2021 June, December 2022
SNC Final Report January 2023 Estimated Project Completion Date January 2023
Project Costs Project Costs SNC Funding Project Management $45,780 Thinning / Pruning / Slash Disposal $554,800 Registered Professional Forester $20,000 Biological Monitoring $6,800 Administrative Costs $94,107 Total $721,487
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Forest Health Grant Program SNC Project Number 1063 Exhibit A - Page 4
Project Letters of Support or Opposition
Support: • Miles Menetrey, District 5 Supervisor, Mariposa County• Chowchilla Water District
Opposition: • None received
Project Performance Measures There are four Performance Measures common to all grants. In addition, grantees are required to identify one to three project specific Performance Measures in their application. Please note, Performance Measures listed here represent those proposed by applicants and may be modified before the grant agreement is executed.
• Acres of Land Restored or Improved
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO,NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI,Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity
1 Miles I
www.SIERRANEVADA.ca.gov
NTMP BoundaryProject Location (Regional Map)""
123456 South Subregion
South Central SubregionEast SubregionCentral SubregionNorth Central SubregionNorth Subregion
Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project Notice of DeterminationSierra Foothill Conservancy
1063
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO,NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI,Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS UserCommunity
1 MilesI
www.SIERRANEVADA.ca.gov
Approx. Addl. Implementation Area
Previous 1063 Boundary
NTMP Boundary
Project Location (Regional Map)""1
2
3
4
5
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South Central Subregion
East Subregion
Central Subregion
North Central Subregion
North Subregion
Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project Notice of DeterminationSierra Foothill Conservancy
1063
California Environmental Quality Act Compliance The Sierra Foothill Conservancy holds Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan (NTMP) N4-99-6, approved by CAL FIRE. The SNC filed a Notice of Determination as a Responsible Agency, specific to the 250 acres anticipated to be treated with SNC funding, on the NTMP in June 2019. The SNC may now file a new Notice of Determination as a Responsible Agency on the NTMP to include a potential increase in acreage treated with SNC funds.
Please follow the links below for:
• SNC Draft Notice of Determination as a Responsible Agency for a potentialincrease in acres to be treated.
• Sierra Foothill Conservancy Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan N4-99-6
_______________________________________ _________________________________________
_______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Notice of Determination Appendix D
To: From:Office of Planning and Research Public Agency: ___________________________
Address: ________________________________U.S. Mail: Street Address: _______________________________________
P.O. Box 3044 1400 Tenth St., Rm 113 Contact: _________________________________
Sacramento, CA 95812-3044 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: __________________________________
County Clerk Lead Agency (if different from above): County of: _________________________________
Address: __________________________________ Address: ________________________________
Contact: _________________________________ Phone: __________________________________
SUBJECT: Filing of Notice of Determination in compliance with Section 21108 or 21152 of the Public Resources Code. State Clearinghouse Number (if submitted to State Clearinghouse):______________________________
Project Title: _________________________________________________________________________
Project Applicant: _____________________________________________________________________
Project Location (include county):_________________________________________________________
Project Description:
This is to advise that the ____________________________________________ has approved the above ( Lead Agency or Responsible Agency)
described project on _______________ and has made the following determinations regarding the above (date)described project.
1. The project [ will will not] have a significant effect on the environment.
2.
3. Mitigation measures [ were were not] made a condition of the approval of the project.
4. A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan [ was was not] adopted for this project. 5. A statement of Overriding Considerations [ was was not] adopted for this project.
6. Findings [ were were not] made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA.
This is to certify that the final EIR with comments and responses and record of project approval, or the negative Declaration, is available to the General Public at:
Signature (Public Agency): _____________________________ Title: ____________________________
Date: _______________________________ Date Received for filing at OPR: ____________________
Authority cited: Sections 21083, Public Resources Code. Reference Section 21000-21174, Public Resources Code. Revised 2011
■
California Dept of Forestry & Fire ProtectionP.O. Box 247Mariposa, CA 95338
Please see attached description.
December 12 2020
Sierra Nevada Conservancy11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 205Auburn, CA 95603
Shannon Ciotti (530) 823-4689
MariposaCalifornia Dept of Forestry & Fire Protection
1234 East ShawFresno, CA 93710
Peter Peosch, RPF #1097(559) 222-3714
Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement Project (SNC 1063)
2019070058
Mariposa, Mariposa County
Sierra Foothill Conservancy
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Sierra Nevada Conservancy, 11521 Blocker Drive, Suite 205, Auburn, CA 95603
Public Agency: Sierra Nevada ConservancyRole: Responsible AgencyLead Agency: California Department of Forestry and Fire ProtectionProject Name: Von Der Ahe Forest Enhancement ProjectSCH Number: 2019070058Document: Notice of Determination on Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan N4-99-6
Project DescriptionThe Sierra Nevada Conservancy provided $721,487 in funding for forest management activities on forested lands in southern Mariposa County near the communities of Triangle Park, Lush Meadows, Ponderosa Basin, Jerseydale, and Bootjack. The treatments would restore the property's forest which has been heavily impacted by drought, pest infestation, tree mortality, and dense overgrown vegetation. The property is in a high severity wildfire zone and is a potential threat to the surrounding communities and forests. Specific treatments on a minimum of 205 acres would include hand and mechanical thinning to achieve 150 trees per acre in plantations and to establish 15 feet between crowns of oak trees, dead trees will be removed to a density not to exceed five per acre, and pruning will occur to limb trees to 10 feet. All work will be performed in compliance with the California Forest Practices Act and an adopted Nonindustrial Timber Management Plan (NTMP) prepared for the property (No. N4-99-6; Von Der Ahe NTMP), which was approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) on July 20, 1999.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 10: 2020 Wildfire Impacts Update
Background At the September 2020 Board Meeting, Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) staff presented on the start of the already record-breaking 2020 wildfire season. At that time, over half a million acres were burning across the west slope of the Sierra Nevada – the highest number of acres burned in one season in recorded history. Two and a half million acres had burned by that point across California as a whole – the largest area burned in wildfires in a single year in recorded California history (since 1920). Many of those fires continued to burn for weeks, blanketing nearly the entire state in smoke and, in many locations, pushing air quality into the hazardous range for days.
Current Status At the time of this report, over one million acres have burned across the Sierra Nevada Region. Three large fires continue to burn but all are over 50 percent contained. The North Complex in SNC’s North Central Subregion continues to burn through areas with a mixture of old fire scars and forests that haven’t seen fire in a century. The Sequoia Complex in the South Subregion is mostly burning in remote areas, including through regions that have recent large fire scars such as the McNally Fire. The Creek Fire in the South Subregion continues to burn through recent drought high-mortality areas. All three of these fires have made the top ten largest fires list in the Sierra Nevada, with the Creek and the North Complex claiming spots one and two.
Like the rest of California, what is unfolding across the Sierra Nevada is unprecedented. As of early October, the total area burned so far this year across the Sierra Nevada is larger than Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco combined. That’s already more than double the previous record of total acreage burned which was set in 2018 – the Creek Fire alone has burned more acres than in any previously recorded fire season on the west slope of the Sierra. With so many large events impacting such a broad portion of our Region, it will take time to understand what potential effects these fires will have and what remediation will be necessary to protect vulnerable ecosystem services.
While the full impacts of these fires are not yet known, staff have been gathering information from partners and land managers about the impact SNC-funded projects have had in these large incidents. This information is getting folded into communications products and shared with partners and policymakers with the intent of informing land management and funding decisions. In addition, staff are monitoring post-fire recovery needs and looking for opportunities to support partners as research and restoration work begins.
Agenda Item 10: 2020 Wildfire Impacts Update Page 2
Next Steps Staff will continue to monitor still-burning fires and any new events that start as fire season wraps up. As Burned Area Emergency Response reports come in and as soil and vegetation severity maps are made available, staff will be working closely with on-the-ground partners to assess the role that SNC-funded work played in altering the impacts of these fires. Staff will also be working with partners to convey important stories about these fires, the impact our projects had, and the lessons learned from these events. Additionally, staff will work with partners to identify resources to support wildfire recovery and restoration efforts.
Recommendation This is an informational item only; no formal action is needed by the Board at this time, although Boardmembers are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Agenda Item 11: Annual Report Update
Background In 2018, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board directed staff to develop the SNC Annual Report in two pieces. The first piece is a formal letter detailing the fiscal year’s expenditures, land management costs, and administrative costs that meets the SNC’s legal reporting requirement. The second piece is a visually compelling report that covers SNC’s activities throughout the calendar year that delivers an educational and marketing tool that is used to inform policy and funding decision makers about the impact of SNC’s programs on Regional needs.
Current Status The SNC’s Financial Operations Unit will prepare the formal letter focused on the fiscal year’s expenditures, land management costs, and administrative costs as required by statute. The letter will be submitted to the Secretary for Natural Resources and the Legislature no later than December 31, 2020.
Staff is currently developing the secondary reporting piece – the SNC 2020 Annual Report. A primary focus for the 2020 Annual Report will be the record-breaking wildfire season and its impacts on the Region and the state. In addition to providing a summary about the acres burned across the Region during the 2020 fire season, staff plans to describe trends in Sierra Nevada forest health, elevate recent research related to wildfires in the Sierra Nevada, and outline the variety of short- and long-term impacts that the 2020 fire season may have had on the health and well-being of the Region and the state as a whole. The 2020 Report will also feature stories about SNC-funded projects that may have played a role in minimizing harm from the 2020 fires and will describe how SNC’s programs are well-positioned to address the variety of challenges and opportunities facing the Region.
The 2020 Annual Report will be completed in time for initial distribution in conjunction with the March Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program Summit and will be followed by broad distribution through SNC social media platforms, email, website, and ongoing person-to-person outreach efforts in the second quarter of 2021.
Next Steps Staff will take the appropriate next steps to finalize and distribute the formal letter to the Secretary for Natural Resources and the legislature no later than December 31, 2020. Additionally, staff will develop the educational and marketing piece of the 2020 Annual Report for distribution in early March 2021.
Recommendation This is an informational item only; no formal action is needed by the Board at this time, although Boardmembers are encouraged to share their thoughts and comments.
Sierra Nevada Conservancy December 10, 2020
Key Meetings and Presentations
September 2020 – November 2020 September 10-11, 2020 – Sierra Nevada Alliance Annual Conference: SNC staff will participate as panelists in three virtual conference sessions focused on workforce development, resilience planning and project prioritization, and continuing to move the needle on conservation during a pandemic. This two-day conference features panels and workshops led by Sierra conservation leaders and is designed to support conservation professionals in developing a clear understanding of the current state of Sierra conservation and a shared vision for the future.
September 29, 2020 – All Conservancies Convening: Executive Officer Angela Avery, and Deputy Executive Officer Julie Alvis will participate in this virtual meeting of all state conservancies. This is an annual gathering focused on elevating challenges and opportunities facing state conservancies.
October 1, 2020 – Forest and Fire Memorandum Of Understanding Signing in Redding: Executive Officer Angela Avery may attend this event celebrating the agreement between the U.S. Forest Service, several departments under the California Natural Resources Agency, and representatives of the wood products industry to share forest and fire management project data. This agreement will facilitate coordination and shared responsibility across all jurisdictions and will help meet state forest restoration, biodiversity protection, and wildfire risk reduction goals.
November 9-10, 2020 – 2nd Annual California Tribal Nations Conference: Executive Officer Angela Avery will virtually attend this conference co-hosted by the Governor’s Office and the California Tribal Chairpersons’ Association. This conference convenes California tribal leaders and Newsom administration officials to discuss a range of issues of mutual importance, with an emphasis how we can work together to strengthen government-to-government relationships with tribes throughout the state.
November 16-18, 2020 – California Association of Resource Conservation Districts Conference Conservancy Panel: Executive Officer Angela Avery will virtually present as part of a panel focused on partnership opportunities between state conservancies and Resource Conservation Districts. This annual conference provides a unique opportunity to connect directly with Resource Conservation Districts, which are recognized as go-to hubs for conservation and have been implementing voluntary, locally led conservation on public and private lands since 1937.
November 18, 2020 – Resilient Forests Coalition convening with Jessica Morse: Executive Officer Angela Avery, Deputy Executive Officer Julie Alvis, and Policy and Outreach branch manager Brittany Covich will virtually attend this SNC convening. These gatherings provide an opportunity for regular dialogue and engagement around current and upcoming forest health policy activities between the California Natural Resources Agency and the members of the Coalition.
September 2020 – November 2020
Letters of Support
September 29, 2020
Mr. John Donnelly Wildlife Conservation Board P.O. Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244
Dear Mr. Donnelly:
RE: RIPARIAN HABITAT CONSERVATION PROGRAM
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) is pleased to offer its support for the application submitted by Mariposa County to the Wildlife Conservation Board’s Riparian Habitat Conservation Program. The SNC is always seeking new opportunities to apply Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and practices back onto the landscape and is very excited to see those practices applied to the Mariposa Creek Parkway (Parkway).
The Parkway is a popular destination for visitors of this rural foothill community. The SNC sees this project as a unique opportunity to blend riparian restoration and fuel reduction with TEK and allow all users of the Parkway to enjoy a riparian ecosystem cleared of invasive species and excess fuel loading. The interpretive signage installed will last generations and will be seen and enjoyed by a wide array of both the local community and tourists alike.
The Mariposa Creek Traditional Ecological Restoration Project is a multi-benefit project that meets multiple pillars of the SNC 2019 - 2024 Strategic Plan. The SNC therefore recommends Mariposa County for the Riparian Habitat Conservation Program funding.
Sincerely,
Angela Avery Executive Officer
September 30, 2020
Mr. John P. Donnelly Executive Director, WCB P.O. Box 944209 Sacramento, CA 94244
Dear Mr. Donnelly:
This letter supports the Resource Conservation District of Tehama County’s (RCDTC) application for the State of California’s Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) Stream Flow Enhancement Program to complete planning tasks that will result in meadow and stream restoration along Deer and Guernsey Creeks. This collaborative effort among the RCDTC, Collins Pine Company, Department of Water Resources, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Tehama Environmental Solutions, Forest Creek Restoration, and a private landowner will be beneficial for meadow and forest health.
The removal of the bridges and restoring Deer Creek Meadows is important to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC), particularly as the bridges could create very harmful effects to numerous species of concern upstream and downstream of their locations. By correcting the dysfunctional, incised channel through the meadow complex, they will be able to reactivate water timing to flood the meadow and improve both grazing and habitat to numerous species of concern that use the meadow complex.
The project location is near Childs Meadow. The SNC provided funding to the RCDTC to prepare a Timber Harvest Plan for encroaching conifers on the meadow edge.
The SNC strongly encourages WCB to consider this project for funding, as it will address numerous key objectives for WCB and the SNC.
Sincerely,
Angela Avery Executive Officer
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