Conservation Almanac

Trinity County Resource Conservation District

Winter 2003 Vol. XII No. 1

Volunteer Fire Departments Begin Landowner Fire Safe Inspections

Want to know how fire safe your house is? Thanks to a grant from the Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), you likely will have a chance to find out. The RAC is providing money from the Secure Schools and Community Selfdetermination Act of 2000 to support the Volunteer Fire Department Inspection Project also known as the Big Red Truck project. The 16 volunteer fire departments in Trinity County will be going out to conduct fire safe inspections with their Fire Engines within the areas where they provide fire protection. Volunteer Firefighters will complete a simple inspection form that will give each landowner an idea of how safe their property is and recommendations for improving the defensibility of the property against a fire. A copy will be given to the landowner, one kept on file with the Volunteer Fire Department and one returned to the TCRCD and Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association. At the same time, other fire safe and fuels reduction information will be given to the landowner to help them implement the recommendations. Trinity County Fire Safe Council have spearheaded most of the efforts in Trinity County to develop and implement fuels reduction and forest health projects across the landscape. The volunteer departments have been a critical link between the Fire Safe Council and the local communities. This program provides an excellent opportunity for the Volunteer Fire Departments to provide one-on-one landowner outreach and education regarding fire safety and emergency access, and the volunteer departments receive The idea for this project grew out of much-needed funds to support their discussions between the Trinity departments. The Volunteer Fire County Fire Safe Council, the Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association and Departments will be paid $25 per inspection that is completed in the the RAC all have identified forest health, reducing the amount of fuels in wildland/urban interface zone up to a our forests and around residences on maximum of $5,000 per Department the forest edge as a top priority. All of (or 200 inspections). us have to work together to reduce the Also In This Issue: risk of wildfires TRRP-Bridges Going Up ................... 2 moving between the Lewiston Trails & Dedication ........... 3 federal and private River Day Pictures ........................... 4 lands. The Volunteer Kids Page-Birdfeeder ...................... 5 Having a Big Red Truck coming Fire Chiefs Conservation Easement Workshop... 7 down your road or driveway is about District Manager's Corner ................ 7 the best way I know of demonstrating Association and
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
1

the critical need for adequate access for emergency vehicles, including sufficient turnaround space, clearance, and bridge strength, said Jesse Cox, Chairman of the Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association.

Winter Issue 2003

Trinity River Bridges Going Up

by Staff, Trinity River Restoration Program

The Trinity River Restoration Program Office, located at 1313 South Main Street in Weaverville, is charged with implementing the December 2000 Secretary of the Interiors Record of Decision (ROD) for restoration of the Trinity River and its fishery. One key provision of the ROD is the assignment of variable dam flow releases based on the amount of inflow to Trinity Reservoir that has been received during the year. In extremely wet years, the ROD requires Bureau of Reclamation dam releases of up to 11,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) in order to enhance and maintain fishery habitat.

to raise the approach road to the Bucktail subdivision. Alternatives and preliminary proposed actions at each bridge location are being prepared. These proposals incorporate site specific designs to reduce environmental impacts of the projects while addressing private concerns. As we proceed with planning, meetings will be held with landowners from each location to incorporate their insights into the bridge designs. Recent discussions have been held with the Salt Flat homeowners association and plans are to meet with Bigger's Road Bridge residents soon. To the extent feasible, the new bridges will meet all Federal and County guidelines for residential structures and for development within the floodplain. Due to budgetary constraints, work will be spread out over three years. Plans are to initiate construction of the Salt Flat and Bigger's Road bridges late in 2003. Construction of the new bridges and removal of the existing structures will take about one year. Replacement of the Poker Bar Bridge and the work required at Bucktail is scheduled to begin in fall of 2004, with completion in 2005.

Bigger's Road

This is a considerable increase over the maximum controlled flow release of 6,000 cfs which has been the standard operating procedure for Trinity Dam over the last 20 years. Given this flow prescription, the ROD also provides for infrastructure modifications (e.g., rebuilding or fortifying bridges) necessary to allow passage of these higher flows and provide for safe human access during these periods. Four existing bridges over the Trinity River (Salt Flat, Bucktail, Poker Bar, and the Biggers Road Bridge) are all receiving special attention to address potential problems associated with the higher flows. Current studies indicate that the private bridges at Salt Flat, Poker Bar, and Biggers Road will need to be replaced. The existing County bridge at Bucktail can pass the higher flows, but work will be required
Trinity County Resource Conservation District

Salt Flat Bridge

As our bridge proposals are refined and documented, all aspects of the proposed work (and alternatives) will be described and evaluated in an environmental document which will be available in draft for public review this spring. This document will fulfill both Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California
continued on page 3... 2

Winter Issue 2003

RCD Director Elected

Trinity County RCD Director Patrick Truman was elected Vice-President of the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) at its Annual Meeting and Conference, held November 13-17, 2002, in Redding.

growth from an agency with a $3,500 annual budget, to an active District with an annual budget of over $2M. He is a sales associate with Coldwell Banker at Trinity Alps Realty in Weaverville.

Lewiston Trails
The Lewiston Trails Group breaks new ground with the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US Forest Service and the Resource Conservation District. The Districts Board of Directors at its January meeting approved the MOU and it is expected that the document will be signed at a ceremony celebrating National Trails Day on April 12th at the new Lewiston Lake trailhead (See announcement below). The purpose of the MOU is to allow the Lewiston Trails Group under the guidance of the RCD and USFS to construct and maintain the South Lakeshore, Baker Gulch, and North Lakeshore Trails. As part of this agreement, the Trails Group will learn USFS specifications for trail tread, clearing limits, trail locations and more. It will also give official recognition from both the RCD and USFS that will be useful in securing funds for the development of trails in, and around, Lewiston.

Truman was appointed to represent California with the With 103 Resource Conservation Districts in California, CARCD serves National Association of its member Districts by linking federal Conservation Districts, after being elected as Viceand state resource agencies to locally led conservation throughout the State. President of CARCD. At CARCD is committed to District efforts the national level, Truman to develop a land stewardship ethic that will help shape policy recommendations for promotes long-term sustainability of implementation of the 2002 Californias rich and diverse natural Farm Bill. We congratulate resource heritage while promoting a Patrick on his election and voluntary approach to resource appointment. All of us at management. the RCD applaud his Truman has served as a volunteer dedication and commitment Director on the Trinity County RCD to resource conservation. Board for 18 years, assisting in its

The Lewiston Trails Group was formed in 2001 and has been working towards the development of trails in the Lewiston area. The US Forest Service (USFS) has agreed to allow for the formalization of a trail along the south shore of Lewiston Lake and ...continued from page 2 will assist with signage and the creation of a Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements. After trailhead near Mary Smith Campground. This public comments have been incorporated, a final Bridges trailhead will be the site of a California Trails Day environmental document will be prepared for certification of celebration on April 12th. The celebration highlights environmental compliance and project approval by the Trinity the importance of trails to our communities and will County Board of Supervisors and the Bureau of Reclamation. include refreshments, childrens activities and guided hikes for all ages.

Put This On Your Calendar:

The 2003 California Trail Day Event will be a Dedication for the new Lewiston Lake Trailhead near Mary Smith Campground on April 12th at 10 am.

Example of Steel Truss Replacement Bridge

For more information about this work, please contact Ed Solbos, Implementation Branch Chief, Trinity River Restoration Program, at 623-1802.
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
3

Call the RCD at 623-6004 for more information about the Lewiston Trails Group or the California Trails Day Celebration.
Winter Issue 2003

Oct. 18, 2002

River Day at Coffee Creek Elementary School was a celebration for the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act and National Water Monitoring Day. Students from Coffee Creek 5-8th grade class assisted at stations, led by resource professionals and AmeriCorps Volunteers. Stations included water volume/flow, dissolved oxygen, macroinvertebrates, pH/temperature/turbidity, fire suppression, forestry, and a watershed model. Approximately 60 students from Trinity County schools attended, including 6th graders from Weaverville Elementary, and classes from Burnt Ranch and Trinity Center.

Trinity County Resource Conservation District

Winter Issue 2003

Kids Page
Birds that do not migrate south for the winter may have a hard time finding enough food here in Trinity County during these months. Heavy snows and colder temperatures make insects, nuts, and seeds less available and harder to find for birds to eat. You can help the birds find food by making your own pinecone birdfeeders for your backyard. Pinecone Birdfeeder

Materials Needed: Large pinecone Peanut butter Cornmeal Shortening or lard Popsicle stick or butter knife Birdseed (millet and sunflower seeds) Twine
1. Find a pinecone that is open and large enough for birds to perch on. 2. Make a mixture of peanut butter and cornmeal and shortening. (Plain peanut butter is hard for small birds to digest and gets stuck on their beaks.) 3. Cover the pinecone completely with the peanut butter mixture using the popsicle stick. 4. Roll the pinecone in the birdseed until the peanut butter is covered with seed. 5. Cut a piece of twine or string long enough to hang the pinecone from a tree. 6. Attach the twine to the top of the pinecone by tying it in a knot. 7. Enjoy watching birds enjoy your treat!
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
5

Winter Issue 2003

New AmeriCorps Members Volunteer at RCD

Cassie Simmons and Kate Grossman

Meet Cassie Simons, our newest AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards member. Cassie joined us in February and will be working throughout the year on watershed restoration projects and environmental education.

Project. Her first year was spent working for the Department of Fish and Game in Ft. Bragg. My most memorable moment was being stung by 27 yellow jackets when I was doing field work , Kate tells of her experience there. Because of her interest in working with private Cassie moved to northern California landowners, Kate selected Trinity a year ago, when she joined County for her second year. She AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards enjoys being close to the mountains Project to work with the where she plans to ski Mt. Shasta Department of Fish & Game in Ukiah. enjoys belly dancing, playing guitar, and this winter and kayak this summer. Her There, she performed habitat surveys doing yoga. Her current passions are other hobbies include knitting, hiking, and taught environmental education. identifying wildflowers and trees, so reading, and Ohio State Football. you may see her wandering After helping at the Childrens Festival around town in the spring with last May at Lowden Park, she decided her field guide in hand. to sign up for a second year of AmeriCorps in Weaverville. Cassie is Were happy to introduce eager to work for the Resource AmeriCorps Watershed Conservation District, she statesit will Stewards Project member, be an interesting shift from Fish & Kate Grossman, who was Game, and is fascinated about placed at our office this past learning how to be part of the vital link fall. Kate has been busy for landowners interested in working on various projects at conservation. the RCD including, lab analysis on turbidity samples for water Born and raised in the suburbs of quality testing, teaching Detroit, Michigan, Cassie attended environmental education at Michigan State University in East Weaverville and Coffee Creek Lansing, earning a Bachelors degree in elementary schools and Environmental Policy and Cassie & Kate with students Steven & Chad working Anthropology. During college she on a sediment transport-monitoring Trinity County has proved to be quite a volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, program. She looks forward to working where she helped with an after school change for Kate who says, In Atlanta with landowners implementing program for inner-city schools. Upon the highways had 8 lanes of traffic, and restoration projects during the remainder graduation, she worked at a food co-op that was just for one direction! But of this year. in Lansing as well as at a Bed & the beauty of the landscape and the Breakfast on Lake Michigan. Born in Ohio, Kates family moved just friendly nature of the people has made the transition pleasant. So far she has outside of Atlanta, Georgia where she She is excited about living in the thoroughly enjoyed working for the was raised. She returned to Ohio to Trinity Alps and getting to go on many RCD and finds herself gaining complete her degree in 2001 at Ohio hikes and checking out the diverse Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of invaluable skills for the future. She ecosystems of the area. Living so plans to attend graduate school on the Arts in Environmental Studies and close to Mt. Shasta has her very West Coast in the not-so-distant future Zoology. An internship assessing the enthusiastic about learning how to water quality of abandoned mines fueled specializing in watershed management snowboard as well. I have my season and/or environmental restoration. But Kates passion for conservation work. pass, and the initial bumps and bruises for now you can catch her in the from learning are almost gone, so Im Upon graduation, Kate joined the classrooms and in the streams, learning all set! she remarked. She also AmeriCorps Watershed Stewards and teaching about conservation.
6

Trinity County Resource Conservation District

Winter Issue 2003

Conservation Easement Workshop in Hayfork

The Trinity County Resource Conservation District (RCD), Trinity Resource and Development Council (RC&D), and the Northcoast Regional Land Trust (NRLT) will be co-sponsoring a workshop on conservation easements this spring. Entitled Conservation Easements: Benefits to the Private Landowner, the workshop is slated for Saturday, April 5 in Hayfork (Hayfork Fairgrounds).

District Managers Corner--Pat Frost

I joined the Resource Conservation District in January 1999. So the idea of New Years resolutions fits in naturally with my annual assessment of our successes and shortcomings. In reviewing 2002 it was very easy for me to zero in on one important Basic information on conservation resolution for the New Year. I dont easements and their usefulness to think that we have gotten out and met private landowners will be provided. Presenters will describe with enough of you, the people that the District serves. We have many how landowners in other areas are utilizing conservation easements to things to offer, one of which is protect their working farms, forests, providing speakers on a wide range and ranches, as well as other lands of conservation topics. My 2003 New Years resolution is to make at having ecological, educational, scenic, or historic significance. This least 12 presentations during the year just one for each month of the year. interactive workshop will be But Ill need your help! specially geared towards

Are you a teacher with a curriculum need for someone to come work with you and your students on a natural resources or science topic? The Resource Conservation District has the very capable and enthusiastic assistance of Kate Grossman and Cassie Simons, our AmeriCorps members (see their bios in the previous article on this page of the newsletter), who are experienced in teaching all about watersheds to school children. And as a former teacher, nothing gives me more satisfaction than time spent with students in a classroom or on a field trip. The Resource Conservation landowners who want to better understand the potential benefits and I need you to give me a call and invite District is here to serve you, and drawbacks of placing conservation us to come speak at your meeting. Do one important way is through easements on their natural resource you belong to a service club, a scout public outreach and education. troop, homeowners association or a So dont wait. Give me a call or lands. professional organization? Give us a send me a note at call. I greatly enjoy speaking to [email protected] and get us on The workshops will be a unique groups about topics that range from your groups schedule today. opportunity to have your questions the Fire Safe Councils about conservation easements strategic plan for the answered. All are invited and encouraged to attend! More detailed County and my own information will be made available experiences installing defensible spaces on my as the projects develop in the property to stream coming weeks. Please direct restoration and our questions and comments to the restoration of the Grass Trinity County RCD (530-623Valley Creek watershed or 6004) or the Northcoast Regional funding opportunities for Land Trust (707-822-2242). your conservation projects. Pre-registration is required.
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
7

Winter Issue 2003

Trinity County
P.O. Box 1450 Weaverville, CA 96093

Trinity County Resource Conservation District

RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Established 1956

District Board Meetings Third Wednesday 5:30 PM Open to the Public

TCRCD Office Number One Horseshoe Lane PO Box 1450 Weaverville, CA 96093

Telephone (530) 623-6004 FAX 623-6006 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.tcrcd.net

The Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) is a special district set up under state law to carry out conservation work and education. It is a non-profit, self-governing district whose board of directors volunteer thier time.

TCRCD Board of Directors are Mike Rourke, Rose Owens, Patrick Truman, Colleen O'Sullivan, and Greg Lowden.

The TCRCD Vision

The RCD is landowners assisting landowners with conservation work. The RCD can guide the private landowner in dealings with state and federal agencies. The RCD provides information on the following topics: Forest Land Productivity Erosion/Sediment Control Watershed Improvement Wildlife Habitat Water Supply and Storage Soil and Plant Types Educational Programs

TCRCD envisions a balance between utilization and conservation of our natural resources. Through economic diversity and ecosystem management our communities will achieve and sustain a quality environment and healthy economy.

The TCRCD Mission To assist people in protecting, managing, conserving and restoring the natural resources of Trinity County through information, education, technical assistance and project implementation programs.

Printed on Recycled Paper

This issue of the Conservation Almanac is being funded in part by grants from the the State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Reclamation,Trinity County Title III, and Sacramento Regional Foundation