HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012.01.10 Forest Lands Commission Minutes Minutes FOR A MEETING OF THE
ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION
Tuesday, January loth, 2012
5:30PM to 7:30PM
Siskiyou Room, Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
I. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM
John Karns, Dan Maymar, Albert Pepe, Stefani Seffinger, Jim Berge, John Williams,
David Chapman, Chris Chambers, Gary Pool
IL INTRODUCTIONS
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 131h meeting
Motion to approve as submitted by Williams seconded by Pepe.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
V. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
VI. BUSINESS
A. Trails/Recreation Policy Subcommittee: Approve Application from AWTA
for Bandersnatch Trail (BTI Alternative)
Karns explained the items that would be asked of the AWTA for approval of the
new trail. Karns would like to see several items including meeting Forest Service
trail standards, education, trail maintenance, and usage statistics. The question
was asked whether or not dogs would be allowed off leash. Karns favored going
with the City ordinance or Parks policy on dogs on trails. Karns handed out a
sample of what the trail signs might look like—including some symbols for
specific uses. Seffinger expressed concern over the steepness of the trail in small
sections that might deter older people from using the trail. A hand rail might help
seniors navigate the steep pitches. A bench, or two benches, might help as well.
Williams asked if we are encouraging seniors to use trails that might be too steep
for them. Stairs were suggested as an alternative to rails. Maymar suggested a
switchback; Karns thought this might accommodate bikes more than would be
wanted. Maymar would like to see stairs added to the request of AWTA during
trail construction. Karns would like to see it in the approval process. The group
discussed this section as part of the approval. This would leave flexibility.
Williams motioned the commission approve the trail application from the AWTA
for the Bandersnatch Trail, contingent upon submission of trail modifications to
address safety concerns on the steeper section of trail between the intersection
with the BTI trail west to the Overlook, and including conditions listed in the
letter from the Forest Lands Commission dated January 10, 2012. Pool seconded
the motion and all approved. Chapman asked about the mileage on the posts that
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were previously proposed. Karns intends to include this on the trail signs.
B. City Lands Prescribed Burning and PERC Grant through The Nature
Conservancy
Chambers explained how the City has engaged with TNC to implement work
similar to what's being done in the AFR project. The City got nearly 300,000
dollars to implement a combination of prescribed burning on lower City lands
and thinning on the Winburn Parcel over the next two years. The goal is to
burn up to 50 acres in the next two years and implement the Winburn
management plan to thin trees by helicopter. The value of the trees will be
counted as match to the grant program. Some money will also go to Parks for
work in Siskiyou Mountain Park. Chambers will field proposals for a
contractor to implement the burning beginning this March. In the absence of
this grant, it would have been financially impossible in the current market for
the City to complete the work at Winburn. The grant will backfill the cost and
coordinating with helicopter work in AFR will create savings on move in
costs.
C. Watershed Outreach Plan Review and Discussion
Williams showed a picture of the shirt he's getting made for Iverson. Williams
discussed the Community Outreach Plan that Iverson worked on when he was
on the commission. Williams asked about the education component.
Chambers explained the AFR project is moving ahead with partners to create a
proposal that will integrate watershed education in the schools using the
Ashland Watershed as a field laboratory. There's a meeting tomorrow at the
Fire Station at 4pm. Williams asked what the FLC would like to adopt as a
project in community outreach this year. The brochure could be easy, field
trips were mentioned, Chambers suggested including a trip in the Parks
catalog for summer, and field trips to Winburn were mentioned as well. A
website was discussed and Chambers said that as a City commission, the site
would likely have to be part of the City's website and conform to the existing
design standards. Other options could include power points and slideshows.
Chambers will email Williams the application for the Parks catalog in order to
advertise a June 16th Winburn field trip for the public. Pool suggested an event
to feature a trail building workshop where volunteers would learn about trail
construction.
D. AFR Project Update including Community Engagement
Chambers gave an update on the AFR project. Lomakatsi crews are still
working in the area of Horn Gap on thinning and piling. Pile burning of last
year's work hasn't taken place yet due to air quality concerns and dry weather.
Chambers is hopeful that there will be opportunities soon for burning, if not in
the spring. The AFR partners have been analyzing data from the past
summer's tree marking and consulting with the Forest Service's biologist on
how best to meet habitat requirements. In a handful of units, trees may need to
be blacked out (unmarked) to preserve more canopy cover for spotted owls.
Marty is working on additional areas for future work including the White
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Rabbit Trail area up to Four Corners and along Winburn Ridge.
Williams motioned to adjourn at 7:3 5pm, Pool seconded. Meeting adjourned.
E. Ashland Water Advisory Committee Update
F. Update Commission 3-Year Goals
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR/NEXT MEETING
A. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: February 14th, 2012
IX. ADJOURN: 7:30 PM
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in
this meeting,please contact the Public Works Office at 488-5587(TTYphone number 1 800 735 2900).
Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility to the meeting(28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
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