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Volunteers Needed for the Sixteenth Annual Boca Weed Day -  June 20, 2012

 

Truckee..... Several groups will be pulling noxious weeds on Wednesday, June 20 near Boca Dam, east of Truckee starting at 9:00 am.  “We could really use more volunteers to pull musk thistle, a noxious weed covered with spines and which grows up to 6 feet tall,” stated Susi Urie, Botanist for the Forest Service.  Participants need to bring gloves, hats, sunscreen, and drinking water, wear boots and be prepared for warm weather.  Kids over 10 years old are welcome. Lunch will be provided by the Truckee Weed Warriors.

 

This work day is being sponsored by the Truckee Weed Warriors, Tahoe National Forest, the Nevada Placer Noxious Weed Management Group, and the Truckee River Watershed Council.  This is the sixteenth year that the group will tackle musk thistle populations in the Boca Reservoir area. “Over the years we have made good progress removing the plants and we have moved from the population on Boca Hill area to the Boca Dam site which now has higher concentrations of musk thistle.  I hope we can pull 1,000 – 2,000 plants this year on the 5 acre site,” stated Urie.   Controlling musk thistle in the Boca area reduces the chance of it spreading to adjacent popular recreation areas. 

 

Volunteers are urged to park at the Boca Townsite Parking lot, across from the Little Truckee River access below Boca Dam.  Anyone that can participate is urged to RSVP to Susi Urie at the Truckee Ranger Station to sign up for a lunch (530) 587-3558 or call for more information.

 

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Rare Plant Treasure Hunt with the California Native Plant Society

The California Native Plant Society is hosting a Rare Plant Treasure Hunt weekend on June 9 & 10 at several botanical hotspots in the Plumas National Forest near Quincy, CA.  Beginning and experienced botanists are welcome and will spend time searching for rare plants, geo-caching, and photographing/documenting discoveries. Activities include:

Saturday, June 10: Carpool to the Butterfly Valley Botanical Area (10 mile drive from Quincy) and search for rare carnivorous plants including the California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), English sundew (Drosera anglica), and other unique plants. Following lunch, search for the pointed broom sedge (only two known populations in California!) in the Snake and Smith  Lake areas nearby.

Sunday, June 10:  Carpool to Bucks Lake (20 mile drive from Quincy) and search for the only known CA populations of a rare orchid called northern coralroot (Corallorhiza trifida).  Other interesting rare plants nearby include the buttercup-leaf suksdorfia (Hemieva ranunculifolia) and closed-throat-beardtongue (Penstemon personatus). 

Drivers and riders will meet at the northwest corner of the Safeway parking lot in Quincy (20 East Main Street, Quincy, CA) at 9:30am each day for carpooling, returning to Quincy around 5-6pm both days, although some drivers may choose to leave earlier.  Bring a lunch, plenty of water, sun protection, and any fieldtrip supplies desired (cameras, GPS units, etc.).  Send RSVPs and questions to Danny Slakey at dslakey@cnps.org.

 

Most Campgrounds Open in the Tahoe National Forest Over Memorial Day

Some Snow Remains in High Country – Fire Danger Increasing on East Side

 

                                                                                                                        Contact: Ann Westling

                                                                                                                        (530) 478-6205

                                                                                                                        May 21, 2012

Nevada City…...Most campgrounds and recreation sites within the Tahoe National Forest will be open for Memorial Day; however snow is expected to keep some of the more popular trails closed until early or mid June.  “Our recreation crews and campground concessionaires have been working hard to get the campgrounds ready for the Memorial Day weekend,” stated Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor.  “The relatively light snow pack this year permitted most of the sites to be open for this holiday, which is unusual.  Hikers need to be aware that there are still some snow banks in the high country, especially on north facing slopes or in shaded areas.  We are moving into fire season much earlier than usual, especially on the east side of the Forest.  Please be especially careful with your campfires this year.  Campfire permits are required outside of developed campgrounds and are free at all Forest Service, BLM, and CalFire offices” advised Quinn. 

 

The following status report of campgrounds, roads and trails is listed by major transportation corridor or area.

 

Bullards Bar Reservoir – Yuba County

All campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat ramps are open.   Near Dark Day Boat Ramp, the trail is closed due to landslide/erosion and subsequent restoration work in progress.   No shoreline camping is available due to the high water level of the reservoir.

 

Highway 49 – Sierra County

Most all campgrounds, picnic areas and trails in the lower elevations are open or will be by Memorial Day including those along the North Yuba River.  These include Indian Valley, Ramshorn, Rocky Rest, Carlton, Cal-Ida, Fiddle Creek, Union Flat, Loganville, and Wild Plum. 

 

In the higher elevations, Yuba Pass, Sierra, and Chapman Campgrounds are open.   

 

Sierra Buttes area – Sierra County

Gold Lakes Road is open.  All TNF campgrounds in the area are open.  Packer Lake Road is open to Packer Lake.

 

Highway 89 North – Sierra and Nevada Counties

Most all the campgrounds are open including Cottonwood, Cold Creek, and Upper and Lower Little Truckee.

 

Jackson Meadow Area – Sierra County

The road is currently open to Webber Lake.  It is anticipated that the road will be open to Jackson Meadow Reservoir by Memorial Day.  Contact the Sierraville Ranger District (530-994-3401) for information regarding campground availability at Jackson Meadow. 

 

Reservoirs East of Truckee – Nevada County

The campgrounds are open around Boca, Prosser and Stampede Reservoirs.  Water has not been tested for Prosser Reservoir.  Contact the Truckee District Office for more information on water availability for Prosser sites (530-587-3558).  The Sawtooth and 5 Lakes Trails are open.  The Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail is also open and is a nice trail for mountain bikes or hiking.

 

Highway 89- South – Placer County

Granite Flat, Silver Creek and Goose Meadows Campgrounds are open.

 

Interstate 80 – Nevada and Placer Counties

The Pacific Crest Trail and other trails along the Sierra crest still have some snow. 

 

Campgrounds including Hampshire Rocks and Indian Springs are expected to be open by Memorial Day.   North Fork, Tunnel Mills and Onion Valley Campgrounds are open.

 

Rattlesnake Road is open to Woodchuck Campground.   Woodchuck Campground is expected to be open by Memorial Day.  Loch Leven trails still have some snow.

 

Highway 20 – Nevada County

White Cloud and Skillman Campgrounds are open.  The Pioneer Trail is open.  Rock Creek Nature Trail is open.

 

Bowman Lake Road – Nevada County

The Bowman Road is open to Faucherie.  Campgrounds including Bowman, Jackson Creek, Canyon and Faucherie are open.   Carr and Grouse Ridge Campgrounds are still closed due to snow.  Lindsey Lake Campground is accessible.

 

Foresthill Area – Placer County

Sugar Pine Reservoir campgrounds and picnic areas are open.  Big Reservoir campground (Morning Star) will be open for Memorial Day weekend.  The Sugar Pine OHV Trails are open.

 

Mumford Bar and Beacroft Trailheads are open, but there are many trees down on the trail and considerable brush and poison oak on the lower parts of the trail.

 

French Meadows campgrounds and boat ramps are accessible, but drinking water systems are still being tested.  Contact the American River Ranger District for campground opening information (530-367-2224).  Talbot campground and Trailhead to Granite Chief Wilderness are open.  Placer Big Trees Grove and picnic area is open.  Robinson Flat Campground is not expected to be open until later in June due to snow.

 

River Caution!

 Rivers are running fast, cold and high.  Caution should be taken near the water – especially with children and pets.   

 

For More Information

For more information, see the Tahoe National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe or call one of the Ranger Stations listed below:

 

Tahoe National Forest Headquarters – in Nevada City (530) 265-4531

American River Ranger District – in Foresthill (530) 367-2224

Sierraville Ranger District – in Sierraville (530) 994-3401

Truckee Ranger District – in Truckee (530) 587-3558

Yuba River Ranger District – in Camptonville (530) 288-3231.

April 11 2012

Contact: Ann Westling

    (530) 478-6205

 

Woodcutting Season Opens in the Tahoe National Forest  –  May 2

 

Nevada City..... Woodcutting permits for the Tahoe National Forest (TNF) can be purchased beginning Wednesday, May 2, 2012.   The price for permits is $15 per cord with a 2-cord minimum and an annual 10-cord maximum per household.  Permits can be obtained at all TNF Ranger Stations, the Forest Headquarters or by mail. Applications for mail-in permits can be found online at www.fs.usda.gov/tahoe  under “Passes and Permits”.  Firewood season will extend into the fall, until rain and snow traditionally make the roads impassable.  On the Yuba River Ranger District, woodcutting will end no later than November 9, to protect hardwood trees that lose their leaves and may appear to be dead.  The remainder of the forest will be open for cutting until December 2, weather and road conditions permitting. 

 

In general, the woodcutting permit allows removal of dead and down wood on TNF system lands unless otherwise designated.  It does not allow cutting on private land.  Trees may not be cut if marked with paint, wildlife signs, boundary signs, other official signs or in areas closed to woodcutting. 

 

Tom Quinn, TNF Supervisor reminds woodcutters to carefully study the maps accompanying the permits to see which areas are closed to wood cutting.  “This past winter has been drier than previous years and we are opening the season a week earlier. It is a good idea to get your wood sooner as increased fire danger may limit woodcutting later in the summer,” said Quinn.  Woodcutting hotlines established for each district have information regarding any fire danger restrictions and should be called each day before cutting.

 

Wood cutters are also reminded that they are required to keep a serviceable shovel at least 46 inches long and an approved fire extinguisher (2 pound dry chemical or 1 pound foam type – ABC or greater) within 25 feet of where saws are being operated.  All gasoline-powered saws and other internal combustion engines such as motorized splitters must have a USFS approved spark arrester installed. Transportation load tickets will be issued along with the permit.

 

For more information on the woodcutting program and the woodcutting hotlines call:

Forest Headquarters –Nevada City

 (530) 265-4531

TDD 478-6118

631 Coyote St

Nevada City, CA 95959

Woodcutting Hot Line: (530) 478-6253  

 

Yuba River Ranger District – Camptonville   (Woodcutting program will close November 9 to protect hardwoods that may appear dead)

(530) 288-3231

TDD 288-3656

15924 Highway 49

Camptonville, CA 95922

Woodcutting Hot Line: (530) 288-3231

 

American River Ranger District - Foresthill

(530) 367-2224

TDD 367-2226

22830 Foresthill Road

Foresthill, CA 95631

Woodcutting Hot Line: (530) 367-3308 ext 3

 

Sierraville Ranger District

(530) 994-3401

TDD 994-3521

PO Box 95,

317 S. Lincoln (Hwy 89)

Sierraville, CA 96126

Woodcutting Hot Line: (530) 994-3401 ext 4

 

Truckee Ranger District

(530) 587-3558

TDD 587-6907

10811 Stockrest Springs Rd

Truckee, CA 96161

Woodcutting Hot Line: (530) 587-2158

 

 

 

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March 16, 2012                                                                                                                  12_10

Meadow Restoration Monitoring Presentation

Current efforts to study and monitor recent meadow restoration projects will be the subject of a presentation on March 29 at the Graeagle Fire Hall from 2-4:30 pm.  Presenters include staff from the Plumas National Forest, Sierraville Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest, Forest Service Regional Office, Feather River Coordinated Resource Management group, and the University of Nevada (Reno).  Interested members of the public are welcome to attend; registration is not required. Please call Joe Hoffman, Plumas National Forest Watershed Program Manager at 530-283-7868 for more information and special needs. The meeting is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service.

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Motorized Trails and Roads on TNF to Remain Open during Dry Weather

 

Nevada City ….. Motorized trails and dirt roads in the Tahoe National Forest will remain open, at least for the short term, because of the recent dry weather announced Tom Quinn, TNF Supervisor.   “Due to the dry weather plus the fact that our motor vehicle maps are not yet ready for distribution, we will not be implementing the seasonal closures which were to start Jan 1, 2012,” stated Quinn.  “Once the maps are printed and available to the public, the seasonal closures will go into effect.  We expect that the maps will be available in the next month.  In general, once the seasonal closures go into affect, it means that for the west side of the TNF, driving on a rough dirt road or a trail would not be permitted until April 1.  On the east side of the TNF, driving on a similar road or trail would not be permitted until April 24,” continued Quinn.   These seasonal closures were developed to protect the surface of a trail or dirt road during the wettest periods of the year to prevent rutting, damage, and erosion. 

 

In addition to the season closures, the maps will illustrate which roads and motorized trails will be open for motorized traffic and the types of vehicles that can be on the various roads and trails in the Forest.   As part of the Travel Management process, the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision were released in the fall, 2010.  

 

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December 15, 2011                                                                     News Release #12-03  

 

PNF Snowmobile Route Protections

Plumas National Forest snowmobile routes in the Little Grass Valley and Bucks Lake Areas will be closed to all wheeled motor vehicles including all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) effective December 15, 2011, through March 31, 2012, by forest order (PNF-11-11-19).  Wheeled motor vehicles create ruts on maintained snowmobile trails which result in hazardous conditions for snowmobile operators.  The forest has several major snowmobile areas:  Four Trees, Bucks Lake, La Porte, and Lakes Basin. The Bucks Lake Wilderness Area is closed to all motor vehicles and bicycles all year.

 

Violation of the closure order may be costly:  $5,000 for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months or both in addition to the cost associated with restoring the trail.  

 

During the winter months, all drivers are cautioned to maintain a safe operating speed, wear warm clothing, and be aware of weather and current snow conditions.  Travel plans should be shared with family or friends including an expected return time.  If stranded, drivers should remain with their vehicle because it may provide shelter, and it is easier to locate a vehicle in the forest than finding people on foot.  While waiting for help to arrive, travelers can signal distress by using emergency flashers and by tying a handkerchief or flagging onto an antenna or mirror.  The tailpipe should be kept clear and a downwind window open if the engine is run periodically for warmth.

 

Funding for Plumas NF snowmobile trail maintenance comes from the State of California Off Highway Vehicle Division. Information about restricted areas, maps, and forest orders may be obtained from the following offices or the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas :

 

Beckwourth Ranger District, Mohawk Rd., Blairsden, CA  96103, (530) 836-2575

Feather River Ranger District, 875 Mitchell Ave., Oroville, CA  95965, (530) 534-6500

Mt. Hough Ranger District, 39696 Hwy 70, Quincy, CA 95971, (530) 283-0555

Supervisor’s Office, 159 Lawrence St., Quincy, CA 95971, (530) 283-2050

 

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111611

TNF Plans to Re-Issue Vehicle Use Maps

 

Nevada City ….. The Forest Service is working to correct errors on the Tahoe National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) and hopes to re-issue them by the end of the calendar year, stated Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor.  “We have been carefully assessing these complex maps to identify errors and the reasons for the errors.  We are working hard to make the changes so that the public will have them soon.”

 

The errors were due to a variety of factors; some of which were based on the use of a new system to produce the maps from a recreation data base rather than the more traditional GIS process.  Roads that had been previously closed or decommissioned showed up as open.  Seasons of use or special use features also showed up incorrectly.  The other primary factor dealt with cooperative roads between the Forest Service and Sierra Pacific Industries.   Historic easements with SPI did not provide for recreation traffic, but only administrative or timber haul use.  “We are continuing to work with SPI on these easements.  These changes are not quick fixes, but will take more negotiation with SPI.   Because of this, some of the roads that were on our Record of Decision map, will not show on the next edition of the MVUM due to these ongoing discussions,” stated Quinn. 

 

Once re-issued, the maps will be free and will identify what roads, trails and areas will be available for motorized travel.  They will show the seasons of use and types of vehicles that can be used on the many roads and motorized trails available.   

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110911

New Forest Service maps link healthy drinking water to healthy forests

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2011 – The U.S. Forest Service today unveiled a comprehensive series of maps that illustrate for the first time the crucial role forests play in sustaining the watersheds that are most important to the quality of American surface drinking water.

The Forests to Faucets interactive maps also identify the extent to which those watersheds are threatened by development, fire, insects and disease. Communities can use the data to help determine the important role their forests play in providing clean drinking water to urban areas.

The Forests to Faucets project will also help identify watersheds where a payment for watershed services project may be an option for financing conservation on forest lands. The cost of treating drinking water increases 20 percent for every loss of 10 percent of forest land in a watershed.

“Spending money on forest management upstream in a watershed saves money on water treatment downstream,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The Forests to Faucets project provides powerful information that can help identify forest areas that play a key role in providing clean drinking water.”

The project found that Appalachian forests critically impact drinking water in East Coast cities including New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. Forests in the Sierras in California and the Front Range in Colorado are also home to crucial watersheds that provide clean drinking water for millions of Americans.

Watersheds on national forests and grasslands are the source of 20 percent of the nation’s water supply, a value estimated to exceed $27 billion per year. Another 60 percent of the nation’s water flows from private lands.

“We expect Forests to Faucets will support rural economies by steering funding to upstream landowners, encouraging healthy forests and healthy water,” said Tidwell.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Recreational activities on our lands contribute $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

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101911

The TNF MVU Maps are NOT YET READY!  When they are they will feature:

 

Nevada City ….. Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Tahoe National Forest are now available at all TNF Ranger Stations and Forest Headquarters.  These maps are free and identify what roads, trails and areas are available for motorized travel.   The maps also show when these roads, trails and areas are open and the types of vehicle that can use them.  “This map represents years of work reviewing and analyzing motorized use on the TNF. I believe the map strikes a balance between providing motorized recreation access, providing for user safety, and protecting critical natural and cultural resources,” stated Tom Quinn, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. 

 

The map shows over 2,300 miles of National Forest Transportation System of roads and motorized trails for public use in the TNF as well as open areas.

 

Attributes of the Motor Vehicle Use Map:

·       Prohibition of Cross County Travel: Only the roads, trails, and areas shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map are open for motorized travel.  Motorized travel is prohibited elsewhere.

 

·       Boca, Prosser, and Stampede Reservoirs:  244 acres at the reservoirs east of Truckee will be available for highway legal vehicles to access the shoreline of the reservoirs in select, established areas in order to protect cultural, aquatic, and other sensitive resources.

 

·       Prosser Pits:  This open area remains open for OHV use east of Truckee

 

·        Seasonal Use:  On the west side of the forest including the Sugar Pine OHV area, motorized trails and rough, high clearance roads (maintenance level 2 roads) are generally open from April 1 to December 31.  On the east side of the forest, these trails and rough roads are generally open from April 24 to December 31.  The purpose of these seasonal restrictions is to protect the trail tread during the wettest months.  Some additional restrictions are provided in a few areas to protect wildlife or other resources at key times. On the Truckee and Sierraville Ranger Districts most roads are closed during the winter due to snow.  

 

·       Over the Snow Use:  This map applies to wheeled vehicles only and does not affect snowmobile use.  On the Fordyce Jeep Trail, over the snow wheeled use is permitted on the first 3.6 miles when 15 inches of snow are present on the ground.   Over the snow use on maintenance level 2 roads is not permitted elsewhere in the Forest with wheeled vehicles. 

 

·       Motorized Mixed Use: Mixing both highway legal and non-highway legal vehicles is permitted on rough, high clearance roads (maintenance level 2).  On smoother graded roads or highways (maintenance levels 3-5), mixed use is generally not permitted due to safety concerns, except where designated for mixed use and where the road is less than 3 miles in length or is designated open during deer hunting (rifle) season when log hauling does not occur. 

 

·       Dispersed Recreation Spurs: Hundreds of short road segments have been added and are shown on the map to provide access to dispersed recreation opportunities.

 

·       Map Legend and Tables:  Seasons of use and types of vehicles permitted for each road and trail are shown in the legend and tables on the map.  Signing of these roads is continuing.

 

“Over the course of this project, we have received substantial input from the public.  Despite differences of opinion, this participation revealed a strong connection between the national forest and those that recreate via motorized use and non-motorized use.  I greatly appreciate the time that the public has spent working with us and sharing their views and ideas.  I hope that we will continue to have a strong partnership as we continue to refine and update this map in the future,” stated Quinn.

 

History: From 1982 to 2000, the number of people driving off-highway motor vehicles more than doubled in the US with similar growth patterns in the TNF.   The Forest Service initiated travel management planning in 2003 by mapping and inventorying roads, trails and routes.  A draft and supplemental draft environmental impact statement were produced for public comment.  A final environmental impact statement was issued in the fall, 2010.  The environmental impact statement analyzed: 1) the prohibition of cross country travel; 2) which of the unauthorized routes should be added to the Forest transportation system; 3) what measures should be taken to protect motorized routes during wet weather; 4) if there are safety concerns mixing non-highway vehicles with passenger vehicles on the same road; and 5) what open areas should be established.   This EIS was the basis for the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

 

The Motor Vehicle Use Map will be available on line at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/tahoe .   For questions or more information, contact the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters, 530-265-4531.

 

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100511

Sierraville Ranger District Preparing for Upcoming Prescribed Burn Season

 

The Sierraville Ranger District is preparing for the upcoming fall/winter prescribed burn season which may begin in the next few weeks as conditions become favorable.  Prescribed fire is only implemented when conditions are favorable for meeting objectives and minimizing negative impacts. We are currently monitoring temperature, humidity, winds, and fuel moisture conditions to evaluate when our prescribed burns will be conducted. Smoke management plans developed in accordance with California Air Resources Board regulations are in place, and we will be working with the local air quality districts to minimize impacts to local communities.

 

The District is currently planning for prescribed fire activities that include first and second entry underburns as well as pile burns. Burns are designed to reduce accumulated fuels in order to reduce the intensity of potential wildland fires if they were to occur in the treated areas.  Current underburn projects are planned in the Calpine Summit area, the Little Truckee Summit area, the Lewis Mill/Smithneck Road area, and the Kyburz Flat area. Pile burn areas are dispersed throughout the District.

 

If you have any questions about our prescribed burn program for this fall/winter please contact the District Fuels Officer, Ruby Burks, at the Sierraville Ranger District Office, (530) 994-3401.