HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014.03.11 Forest Lands Commission Minutes Action Minutes FOR A MEETING OF THE
ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION
Tuesday, March I Ith, 2014
5:30PM to 7:30PM
Fire Station #2 Conference Room
1860 Ashland Street
I. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM
II. INTRODUCTIONS
Frank Betlejewski, Chris Chambers,Dan Maymar,Albert Pepe, Marty
Main,John Karns, Stefanie Seffinger,Keith Whitman
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February I th minutes
Add list of attendees. Frank suggested add removing "lands" for"inventory data
formats" in#2. Frank motioned to accept as amended, Pape seconded and all ayes
except Seffinger who was not at that meeting.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
V. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
Moved the farewell to Dan Maymar to the first item.
VI. BUSINESS
1) Farewell to Dan Maymar
Thank you Dan for your service on the Commission!
2) Trails/Recreation Update
a) Unauthorized trails
i) Chambers presented photos of unauthorized trails below BTI and above the
Glenview pit above the start of the Bandersnatch. Another trail goes from the
water tank at Loop Rd and Terrace St up to the Alice in Wonderland Trail.
Chambers asked the commission for policy direction on how to deal with
unauthorized trails before any contact with AWTA to talk about obliterating
unauthorized trails due to their role in maintaining existing trails and
advocating for new trails. Main has noticed that water bars are not being
maintained on BTI and Alice trails. Increased use has resulted in the need for
increased maintenance that is not happening. Seffinger mentioned that bikes
are coming down Granite St very fast and forcing hikers/walkers to contend
with the bikes or get off the road onto a dangerous trail. Chambers proposed
mapping the unauthorized trails and bringing back the map and asking AWTA
to the next meeting. Whitman has had experience in California in working
with local groups or agencies to authorize trails, but only those that went
through official channels. The commission agreed that Chambers should move
ahead and consult with the City and AWTA, bringing in Parks.
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Chambers read a letter from Jerry Solomon, owner of Ashland Electric Bikes
who proposed letting electric bikes on trails. Williams asked Chambers to
contact the Forest Service to see if they are considering it and what part of the
NEPA process the trail plan is in right now. Seffinger didn't know if Parks
would allow e-bikes on their forested parcels. They currently don't allow
motorized vehicles. There was concern that electric bikes have a lot of torque
that could create as much damage as a gas powered bike. As electric bikes
advance, Seffinger asked how it would be regulated in the future.
3) Ashland Forest Plan Revision
Frank proposed a review process via email for editing and finalizing the
chapters in the updated forest plan. Frank has no feedback on his sections as
of yet so there are 30 days for comments, please comment soon. Seffinger is
waiting for an update of the AFR social survey due out any day. Frank would
like to get the drafts moving to final as soon as possible. Albert will try to
access the library computers and email his section.
4) City Lands Work Update: Proposed Underburns 2014
Chambers showed a map of burn units by year in the lower City lands and explained
the units proposed for burning this spring under a grant from The Nature
Conservancy. Two units are cross boundary burns with units in the AFR project on
Forest Service, though small at 10 acres and 5 acres on the City side. The other unit is
five acres and along private land above the swim reservoir. Williams asked about the
burning this week in AFR. Chambers said it was located above Four Corners and also
across the watershed in the Horn Gap area. There were also private land burns in the
area. Main said the conditions were plenty wet for burning despite a windy and dry
forecast. Seffinger said Parks burned pine slash in Lithia from beetle killed trees.
Main said that there is a lot of die off coming and already taking place in Siskiyou
Mountain Park.
Meeting Adjourned 7:30pm.
5) AFR Project Update
6) Fire Adapted Communities
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR/NEXT MEETING
AGENDA
A. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting, April 8th, 2013
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
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arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting(28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
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